Self Ligating Orthodontic Bracket Having a Rotatable Member

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of the bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/223,194, filed Mar. 24, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,961,172), which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,997, filedFeb. 14, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,678,818), which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/117,085, filed May 26, 2011 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,376,739), and claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/518,927, filed May 12, 2011; the above-identifiedapplications are incorporated fully herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligatingorthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwirewithin a slot of the bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Orthodontic brackets are widely used to align teeth through theapplication of forces selectively provided by interconnected archwiresand accessories. Brackets are typically of metal, ceramic or compositeconstruction and are interconnected to either bands or bonding pads forattachment to teeth.

In edgewise brackets, an archwire passes through a labially opening,horizontal slot defined by one or more pair of opposing tie wings. Thearchwire is preshaped and sized to provide the desired forces. In eachbracket, a tie wing pair includes a gingivally extending tie wing andocclusally extending tie wing. Once placed in the slot of one or morepair of tie wings, an archwire is typically restricted therein by aligating device such as a steel or elastomeric ligature.

As orthodontic treatment objectives and techniques continue to evolve,numerous corresponding edgewise bracket designs and interconnectingaccessories have been proposed. Recently, it has been recognized that itis desirable to reduce frictional engagement between the archwire andbracket surfaces defining the archwire slot to facilitate space closureand bodily tooth movement. Similarly, in many situations, it is now agoal to reduce frictional engagement between the archwire and ligatingdevice employed to restrict the archwire within the slot. Such frictionreduction can markedly increase the rate of tooth movement and reducethe duration of the orthodontic treatment.

At the same time, patient comfort and ease-of-use considerations havebecome increasingly important. Patient comfort has been largelyaddressed by reducing bracket size to yield smaller and more smoothlycontoured brackets. Ease-of-use considerations have stimulated bracketdesigns which facilitate practitioner's bracket placement/use andaccommodate plural modalities.

Texturing of the lingual surface of orthodontic brackets has been usedto provide improved bonding between the bracket and the tooth to whichthe bracket is applied. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,725,incorporated herein by reference, concerns a method of improving thebond strength of a plastic bracket by temporarily heating and thenpermanently deforming projections located on the base of the bracket.The deformed projections interlock with adhesive when the bracket isbonded to a tooth. U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,484, incorporated herein byreference, discloses a plastic bracket having a metal reinforcementmember partly embedded in the bracket body. FIG. 13 of the '484 patentdiscloses a bracket base having eight recessed discontinuous portions 36that include molded identification characters 35. U.S. Pat. No.5,622,494 (the '494 Patent), incorporated herein by reference, disclosesseveral structures, including a spiral-like ridge, concentricrectangles, and a weave pattern. Upon being deformed, each structurecreates an undercut structure for forming a mechanical bond with anadhesive. However, the '494 Patent and the other patents noted abovefail to disclose a base structure that includes lettering, symbols, ornumerals that are substantially continuous and that functionally serveas texturing to enhance the adhesive bonding surface of, e.g., anorthodontic appliance to a patient's tooth. The present disclosure,amongst other things as described below, addresses these shortcomings.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include abracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings forattaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to thebracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g.,counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing orlocking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an oppositedirection (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body forunsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantiallyunrestrained from exiting the slot.

The rotatable member may include a cylindrical or circular portion forinserting into and rotating within a cylindrical bore or recess withinthe bracket body, wherein the cylindrical recess may be positioned sothat it spans the width of the bracket slot. The rotatable member mayfurther include one or more slot coverable extensions of various shapesand functionality wherein such extensions can be rotated into the slotopening where an archwire can be inserted into the opening and/orremoved from the bracket slot via this opening. In particular, suchextensions, when rotated to occlude at least a portion of the slotopening thereby preventing an archwire residing in the bracket slot fromexiting therefrom, and when rotated out of the slot opening, theseextensions do not prevent the archwire from being readily removed fromthe bracket slot, e.g., by an orthodontist or technician. In one or moreembodiments, such coverable extensions may be C-shaped. However, othershapes are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Inparticular, such slot coverable extensions may be straight or barshaped, such extensions may be parallel to one another, or suchextensions may be generally irregularly shaped. Additionally, suchextensions may include one or more notches that can be assessed by anorthodontic tool for rotating the rotatable member.

In one or more embodiments, the rotatable member may include twoopposing columns attached to opposing sides of the circumference of thecylindrical portion, wherein such columns extend away from theirattachment to the cylindrical portion such that they extend out of thecylindrical recess for attaching to the one or more rotatable extensionsdescribed above. The attachment of the columns to opposing sides of thecylindrical portion allow for the insertion of an archwire between thecolumns so that the archwire can reside in the archwire slot. Morespecifically, although the columns extend above the side walls of theslot, the columns do not interfere, regardless of the rotation of therotatable member (relative to the bracket body), with an archwire'splacement in or removal from the archwire slot. In particular, thecolumns may rotate (when the rotatable member rotates) about a centralaxis of the cylindrical recess, and rotate within a confined angularrange that prevents them from conflicting or interfering with theoperation of an archwire within the slot.

In one or more embodiments, the rotatable member and the cylindricalrecess may include various features for being rotatably securing therotatable member within the cylindrical recess so that this member issubstantially prevented for disengaging from the bracket body. Suchfeatures may include mating combinations of projections and recessessuch that a projection (or recess) may be provided on the cylindricalportion and/or the columns for mating with a corresponding recess (orprojection) of an interior wall of the cylindrical recess for lockingthe rotatable member therein while also allowing it to rotate therein.Note that such mating projections and recesses may be, respectively,ridges and grooves.

Also, note that the cylindrical recess may include additional featuresor mechanisms that prevent the rotatable member from freely rotatingwithin the cylindrical recess. In one or more embodiments, a circularcross section (perpendicular to the central axis of the cylindricalrecess) may be slightly out of round in various places to frictionallyengage adjacent surfaces of the rotatable member for assisting inmaintaining the slot coverable extensions in one or more predeterminedorientations relative to the slot. In one or more embodiments of thebracket, the cylindrical recess and the rotatable member may includeinterlocking elements that substantially restrict the rotation of therotatable member to discrete and predetermined angular orientationsabout the central axis. Such interlocking elements may provide a ratchetmechanism, or alternatively interlocking shapes wherein a first shapedelement (e.g., on the cylindrical portion of the rotatable member or awall portion of the cylindrical recess) mates or interlocks withcompatibly one or more shaped elements (on the other of the rotatablemember or a wall of the cylindrical recess) dispersed at discreteangular positions about the central axis for restricting rotation of therotatable member from one of these positions to another. Note that suchinterlocking elements may allow the rotatable member to rotate in both aclockwise and a counter clockwise direction when a sufficientpredetermined directional force(s) is applied for disengaging theinterlocking elements from a first position and interlocking at a secondposition.

In one or more embodiments of the bracket, the strength transmitted tothe free ends of the slot coverable extensions for covering the slot ispartially derived from the circular shape of the attached cylindricalportion and the intimate fitting of this cylindrical portion of therotatable member within the cylindrical recess. In particular, suchstrength may allow the extensions to be thinner than one of ordinaryskill in the art would expect, thus providing additional patientcomfort.

In one or more embodiments of the slot coverable extensions, the sidethereof facing the bracket body may include features or elements forengaging with the bracket body adjacent the slot for assisting inholding such extensions in a “closed” position (i.e., where theextensions span or at least partially cover a width of the slot openingthereby preventing, e.g., an archwire from exiting the slot), or in an“open” position (i.e., where the extensions do not span or interfer withthe slot opening in a manner that would prevent an archwire fromentering or exiting the slot). In particular, such an underside mayinclude one or more protrusions for mating with a correspondingdepression in the bracket body adjacent the slot.

In one or more embodiments, the bracket's cylindrical recess remainsopen (e.g., not completely enclosed) to facilitate self cleaning, and toreduce calculus build up and stuck moving parts. In another embodiment,the bracket's cylindrical recess is completely enclosed. Tooth brushbristles can access the walls of bracket body.

In one or more embodiments of the bracket, the slot coverable extensionscan be configured so that in at least one rotatable position suchextensions cause or induce an archwire in the slot to be “actively” heldin place within the slot, wherein, for example, the extensions (oranother bracket component) contacts the archwire for causing or forcingthe archwire into contact with the surfaces of the slot (e.g., a floorof the slot) with sufficient force to induce frictional forcestherebetween such that (for orthodontic purposes) such frictional forceseffectively inhibit movement of the archwire in a direction along thelength of the slot. Additionally/alternatively, the slot coverableextensions can be configured so that in at least one rotatable positionsuch extensions cause or induce an archwire in the slot to be“passively” held in place within the slot, wherein, for example, theextensions (or another bracket component) only loosely restrains thearchwire to remain in the slot in a manner such that the archwire canreadily move in a direction along the length of the slot. In particular,in the passive archwire restraining configuration, there is insufficientfrictional forces between the archwire and the slot (for orthodonticpurposes) to effectively inhibit movement of the archwire in a directionalong the length of the slot. Moreover, in one or more embodiments ofthe bracket, the slot coverable extensions can be rotated from a passiveconfiguration to an active configuration, and/or from an activeconfiguration to a passive configuration.

The orthodontic bracket disclosed herein may be comprised of metal,plastic or ceramic or combinations thereof. Equivalent materials alsomay be used. Metal injection molding (MIM) technology can be used formanufacturing components of the bracket, including the bracket bodywhich provides features for rotatably securing the rotatable member tothis body. In particular, the bracket body may be manufactured using abreakaway design in MIM for one piece bracket body assembly.

In a related aspect of the present disclosure, an orthodontic appliance,e.g., a bracket or tube, is described, wherein the appliance hasinformation formed (equivalently, embedded) in the underneath side ofthe base of the appliance. In particular the information may be one ormore symbols formed in the underneath side of the base in a mannerwherein such embedded symbols are also structurally important to theadhesion of the appliance to a patient's tooth. That is, the symbolssignificantly increase the total surface area of the appliance base towhich an adhesive can bond.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a substantiallycontinuous series of alpha-numeric characters (such as letters ornumerals) or symbols (such as company logos) that are formed or embeddedin the base in a manner such that the symbols or characters of the baseof the bracket serve to increase the base total surface area (whichincludes the area of the walls separating the projected portions of thebase from the recessed portions of the base) to which an adhesive caneffectively adhere for effectively facilitating bonding of theorthodontic appliance with a patient's tooth when the base of theappliance is attached to the tooth. Hereafter, the term “characters”refers to either letters, and/or numbers, and/or graphics, and/orsymbols (such as logos), and/or various portions of an informationalencoding, and/or a combination thereof “Substantially continuous” ismeant to convey the regular matrix-like aspect of the charactersconfigured on the appliance base so as to facilitate a more or lesstextured surface for bonding purposes.

In another embodiment disclosed herein, an orthodontic appliance mayhave an embedded base that does not include a substantially continuousseries of characters, but instead may include a non-repeating encodingof information, e.g., about the appliance.

One of the heretofore unappreciated aspects provided by the presentdisclosure includes the ability of a manufacturer and/or supplier oforthodontic devices to have a trademark or other identifying character(i.e., a name, symbol, part number, etc.) emblazoned on the actualdevice. This contributes to customer confidence in purchases of “real”(vs. knock-off) products and further permits effective recalls ofproduct in the event of later discovered difficulties.

In a separate aspect of the disclosure, a perimeter rail, and morepreferably, a discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the perimeteredges of the base. The discontinuous perimeter rail, if used, is incontact with the tooth surface, with the interior portion of theinformation content in the base having its characters recessed relativeto the surface of the discontinuous perimeter rail. If used, theperimeter rail forms a pocket to the base interior surrounded by theperimeter rail wherein this base interior receives the adhesive forattaching the orthodontic appliance to the tooth surface. Thus, if used,a perimeter rail contacts the tooth surface, with the base embeddedinformation content recessed relative to the surface of the perimeterrail.

Since the characters are preferably recessed, the space between andaround the characters is preferably non-recessed or projected. Thus, theprojected space between the characters is either in contact with thetooth, or is the next surface closest to the tooth's surface if aperimeter rail is present, as discussed below. The surface of therecessed characters is preferably further away from the tooth surfacethan the space between the characters. Alternatively, the oppositearrangement may be used, where the space between and around thecharacters is recessed, and the characters themselves are projected. Ineither case, the walls between the projected and recessed portions ofthe appliance base may increase the total surface area for adhesivecontact in the range of 120% to 125% of what a two dimensional appliancebase might provide, and in at least some embodiments 140% or more,wherein the two dimensional appliance base has the same exteriordimensions and general convexity as the appliance base, but without theundulating or abrupt changes in the base surface curvature that do notfollow the smoothly changing contour of a patient's tooth. Morepreferably, the total surface area for adhesive contact may be at least144% of what a two dimensional appliance base provides. For example, thecorresponding two dimensional base is effectively a flat or convexsurface that generally conforms to a surface of a tooth. Said anotherway, for orthodontic bases according to the present disclosure, the atleast 125% value above corresponds to at least 20% of the total surfacearea of the base being provided by the walls of the characters thatconnect the most recessed surface portions of the base from the moreprojected portions of the base, and the at least 144% value abovecorresponds to at least 29% of the total surface area of the base beingprovided by the walls of the characters that connect the most recessedsurface portions of the base from the more projected portions of thebase. Note that such an increase in base total surface area is believedto substantially distinguish the embedded information of the presentorthodontic appliances from those of the prior art.

The disclosure herein shows an orthodontic appliance having a pair oftie wings defining an archwire slot therebetween, and a pair of ligatingsupport means, one defined within the mesial/distal extent of each tiewing. The ligating support means may be selectively employed to reducefrictional engagement between an archwire positioned in the slot and aligating device positioned on the ligating support means and across thearchwire slot. Each ligating support means includes a sloped, or angled,portion that extends labially toward the slot (e.g., labially from thegingival/occlusal periphery towards the slot), to reduce binding of aligating device positioned thereupon. The ligating support means arepreferably notches extending from the gingival or occlusal periphery ofa tie wing, sized to readily receive a ligating device, and preferablyhaving a curvilinear, concave configuration to further reduce binding.Typically, the opposing notches in a given pair of tie wings have acommon center axis which is parallel to the gingival-occlusal centeraxis of the orthodontic appliance. When the archwire slot includesconvex sidewall and/or floor portions to reduce frictional engagementbetween the archwire and the appliance, the ligating support means arepreferably disposed adjacent thereto (e.g., centered upon a commongingival-occlusal plane) for enhanced treatment control.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an edgewise bracket isdisclosed having a single pair of tie wings and two pairs of opposingligating support means defined within the mesial/distal extent of thetie wings, one pair on each of the mesial and distal sides of thebracket. The gingival/occlusal extremes of the tie wings define anelliptical configuration when viewed from the labial (“viewedlabially”). More particularly, each tie wing comprises central, mesialand distal portions which extend gingivally or occlusally, with ligatingsupport means defined between the central and mesial portions andbetween the central and distal portions, wherein the gingival/occlusaledges of such portions define an elliptical configuration. Suchconfiguration accommodates size reduction, yielding patient comfortbenefits, while preserving structural integrity and performance.

In this regard, and as will become apparent, a single pair of opposingT-shaped tie wings is preferred. That is, the “caps” of the T-shaped tiewings define an archwire slot therebetween, and the “center legs” ofeach tie wing extends gingivally or occlusally. The ligating supportmeans are preferably notches defined on the gingival/occlusal peripheryon both the mesial and distal sides of a center leg of each T-shaped tiewing. The center legs each comprise a gingivally/occlusally extendingcantilevered portion that can be conveniently employed as a stanchionfor ligature interconnection. The mesial/distal tie wing tip portions onthe outside of each notch also comprise gingivally/occlusally extendingcantilevered portions that extend a sufficient distance outward from theouter tie wing sidewalls to retain a ligating device in an arcuate seatformed under the cantilevered tie wing tip portions and center legsduring conventional ligation. Relatedly, the cantilevered center leg ofeach T-shaped tie wing should extend at least approximately the samedistance outward beyond the outer gingival/occlusal extremes of theadjacent ligating support means so as to retain a ligating device whenthe ligating support notches are selectively employed by a practitionerto support a ligating device.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, an edgewise bracket isprovided having a single pair of tie wings defining an archwire slottherebetween, and an integral T-shaped hook extendinggingivally/occlusally (typically only gingivally) from one tie wing, andin perpendicular relation to the longitudinal center axis of thearchwire slot, wherein traction devices (e.g., rubber bands, springs,etc.) can be readily attached from a plurality of directions so as toaccommodate plural modalities for treatment. The T-shaped hook iscentered upon the gingival-occlusal center axis of the bracket, and ispreferably provided as a cantilevered extension of the center leg of aT-shaped tie wing so as to communicate external force moments created byinter-connected traction devices close to a tooth's root center ofresistance. Preferably, the T-shaped hook is generally flat as viewedfrom the mesial and distal aspects. Further, as viewed from the labialaspect, the T-shaped hook preferably comprises a tapered portioncontiguous to the center leg of the T-shaped tie wing, an arcuate neckportion contiguous thereto, and a head portion contiguous thereto thetapered portion, wherein a traction device may be reliably maintained inthe neck portion. That is, the tapered portion serves to restrictmovement of the traction device towards the archwire slot of thebracket, and the head portion serves to restrict disconnection of thetraction device from the T-shaped hook. The integral T-shaped hookpreferably comprises a malleable material so as to allow for selectivepivotal movement of the T-shaped hook by the orthodontic practitioner asmay be desirable for soft tissue clearance and patent comfort.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an edgewise bracket isprovided having at least one pair of tie wings defining an archwire slottherebetween, wherein when viewed from mesial/distal aspects, thegingivally/occlusally facing outer sidewalls of the tie wing pair definea trapezoid (although rounded and/or curved sidewalls are alsocontemplated). One outer sidewall is disposed at an angle relative tothe longitudinal center plane of the archwire slot, wherein the sidewallextends labially away from such center plane. The other sidewall isdisposed substantially parallel to the archwire slot center plane. Theangled sidewall is typically disposed gingivally in both maxillary andmandibular applications. By way of example, use of the describedconfiguration and positioning allows for enhanced, early treatment ofpartially erupted upper bicuspids, wherein the archwire slot will beacceptably, gingivally positioned upon full eruption of the bicuspid.This enhances treatment and reduces demands upon the practitioner time.Further, bracket systems of this design will generally reducebracket/tooth contact between the upper and lower arches. Bracketprofile and strength can also be acceptably maintained using thedescribed configuration. The benefits associated with this trapezoidalconfiguration may be extended to orthodontic treatment applicationsrequiring positive, negative, or no torque by appropriatelyconfiguring/contouring the occlusal/gingival extent of the bracket baseor bottom.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an edgewise bracket isprovided having one tie wing pair defining an archwire slot therebetweenand at least one auxiliary slot extending from a gingival edge to theocclusal edge, or vice versa, wherein the slot and shaft of theauxiliary device to be inserted into the slot have complimentaryconfigurations to restrict rotational movement therebetween. By way ofexample, the auxiliary slot may have adjoining flat inner sidewalls(e.g., defining square corners), and the auxiliary shaft may havecomplimentary flat outer sidewalls (e.g., defining square corners),wherein rotational movement therebetween is desirably restricted.

In a related aspect of the present disclosure, an edgewise bracket isprovided having a single tie wing pair defining an archwire slottherebetween, at least one convex portion extending labially andtransversely across the floor of the archwire slot, and at least oneauxiliary slot extending gingivally/occlusally and positioned under theconvex slot floor portion. By positioning the auxiliary slot under theconvex slot floor portion, bracket height can be advantageouslyconserved, and therefore reduced, so as to enhance patient comfort. Whentwo convex slot floor portions are provided, one on each of themesial/distal sides, twin auxiliary slots may be advantageouslypositioned so that one passes under each of the convex slot floorportions. In addition to the above-noted advantages, this bracket yieldssignificant tooth rotation capabilities. For example, in early treatmentstages, the twin auxiliary slots can be utilized with a steel ligatureto achieve rapid gross tooth rotation. As can be appreciated,complementary auxiliary slot/auxiliary shaft configurations of theabove-described nature can also be employed.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an edgewise bracket isprovided having a single set of opposing T-shaped tie wings withligating support notches defined on each side (i.e., mesially anddistally) of the center leg of each tie wing. The sidewalls defining thearchwire slot are provided to present two sets of opposing convexsidewall portions, one set on each of the mesial and distal sides of thebracket. Similarly, the floor of the archwire slot is provided topresent two convex portions extending labially and transversely acrossthe slot, one on each of the mesial and distal sides of the bracket. Byvirtue of this arrangement, the bracket yields desirable tooth rotationand alignment capabilities with reduced archwire/archwire slotfrictional engagement and selectively reduced archwire/ligating devicefrictional engagement. Further, this configuration defines a dynamicarchwire slot, wherein the archwire is allowed to maintain a “memory” ofits slot entry angle, as is now desirable. The notches each comprise aportion that extends labially outwardly from the gingival/occlusalperiphery towards the archwire slot and presents concave, curvilinearsurfaces to reduce ligature binding. The gingival/occlusal edges of thecenter legs and wing tip portions of the opposing T-shaped tie wingsdefine an elliptical configuration when viewed labially so as to reducebracket size and advance patient comfort/appearance. All prominent edgesexposed to soft tissue are preferably rounded for patient comfort.

An integral T-shaped hook of the above-described nature may beoptionally provided as a cantilevered gingival/occlusal extension of thecenter leg of either T-shaped tie wing. The T-shaped hook preferablycomprises a malleable material and preferably comprises flat linguallyand labially facing surfaces, wherein the hook can be manually pivotedto a limited extent by a practitioner relative to the center leg of thetie wing.

An auxiliary slot may also be optionally provided and disposed withinthe gingival-occlusal center plane of the bracket, underlying the centerleg portions of the opposing T-shaped tie wings. Alternatively, twinauxiliary slots may be provided, one on each side of thegingival-occlusal center plane of the bracket (i.e., mesially anddistally positioned), such slots passing under the mesial and the distalconvex slot floor portions of the archwire slot. Whether a single ortwin auxiliary slot arrangement is provided, each slot preferably has aninner-configuration which will restrict rotation of complimentaryauxiliaries inserted thereto, as described above.

The T-shaped tie wings of the bracket may also be optionally defined sothat the outer gingival/occlusal facing sidewalls of the tie wing pairdefine a trapezoid when viewed from the mesial or distal aspects. Moreparticularly, one of the outer sidewalls is disposed at an anglerelative to the longitudinal center plane of the archwire slot, and maybe perpendicular to the tie wing base surface or base/bottom surface ofthe bracket. The other outer sidewall is disposed in parallel relationto the center plane of the archwire slot.

In combination with the above-described trapezoidal configuration, thebase surface of the bracket, namely its gingival/occlusal extent, may beprovided for generating “positive torque,” “negative torque,” and “notorque.” “Positive torque” is applied to a tooth having a tooth-longaxis which projects the crown outwardly from a plane which isperpendicular to the occlusal plane and which coincides with therespective arch (e.g., mandibular or maxillary) (e.g., when the toothroot is tipped lingually). “Negative torque” is applied to a toothhaving a tooth-long axis which projects the crown inwardly from theabove-described plane (e.g., when the tooth root is tipped buccally).“No torque” is applied to a tooth having a tooth-long axis which isproperly within the above-described plane.

The configuration of the base surface of the bracket, namely itsocclusal/gingival extent, may be defined in relation to a referenceplane which coincides with that portion of the floor or bottom of thearchwire slot which engages the archwire when positioned therein (e.g.,a plane which is tangent to the two convex portions on the floor of theslot). As an example of the foregoing trapezoidal configuration and basevariations, with the “angled” outer sidewall being gingivally positionedin a maxillary application, the base may be configured to generallyextend from its gingival edge to its occlusal edge generally toward thenoted reference plane to provide for a “positive torque” on the tooth.Moreover, the base may be configured to generally extend from itsgingival edge to its occlusal edge generally away from the notedreference plane to provide for “negative torque” on the tooth.Furthermore, the base may be configured to generally extend from itsgingival edge to its occlusal edge generally parallel to the notedreference plane to provide for “no torque” on the tooth. With the“angled” outer sidewall being gingivally positioned in a mandibularapplication, the above-described non-parallel configurations of the basewould provide negative and positive torque, respectively.

The center leg of each T-shaped tie wing may also be optionally disposedat an acute angle relative to the longitudinal center axis of the slot.Such angling may be desired in applications wherein the central axis ofthe clinical crown is positioned at an acute angle relative to theocclusal plane in normal occlusion. Such angling correspondinglyfacilitates the practitioner's placement of the bracket on a tooth,wherein the axes of the center legs may be disposed along a tooth longaxis, and wherein the center axis of the bracket slot may be disposedparallel to the occlusal plane. Preferably, the mesial/distal facingedges of the center leg of each T-shaped tie wing are also parallel tothe axes of the center legs to further facilitate accurate placement ona tooth. It is also preferable for the center axes of opposing ligatingsupport notches to be disposed parallel to the gingival-occlusal centerplane of the bracket. Relatedly, for rotational purposes, it ispreferable for the apices of the opposing convex slot sidewall portionsand a convex slot floor portion correspondingly positioned on the samemesial or distal side to lie within a common plane that is disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center plane of thearchwire slot.

The present disclosure further includes a method for manufacturing anddistributing embodiments of the novel orthodontic appliance toorthodontists and other trained personnel for the application of such anorthodontic appliance to a patient's tooth. In particular, suchorthodontic appliances may be injection molded with the embedding ofencoded information molded into the base of each such appliance.However, other techniques for embedding the encoded information into thebase are also within the scope of the present disclosure, including:metal injection mold (MIM) techniques, plastic injection mold (PIM)techniques, ceramic injection mold (CIM) techniques, casting techniquesand/or machining techniques as one of skill in the art will understand.

Still other embodiments are included within the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, in one embodiment, rotating portions reversiblysecure an archwire in the slot and rotate between a freely rotatingposition and a reversibly anchored position. In one embodiment theanchored position involves a separate vertical or lateral movement ofthe rotating portion with respect to the remainder of the bracket so asto achieve a locking function. In other embodiments, at least two pivotpins are employed, each positioned one opposite side of the bracket, andin one embodiment, on different sides of the archwire slot.

Still other embodiments involve rotation of a pivot pin having a pivotaxis that is oriented in a non-perpendicular orientation to the archwireslot and/or in a position that is not substantially normal to the toothsurface.

In still other embodiments, the self-ligating orthodontic bracketincludes a bracket body with an archwire slot, at least two, but inother embodiments four or more, spaced apart mounting arms havingmounting slots, and a mounting pin permanently or removably mounted inthe mounting slots. A closure member may be mounted to the body of thebracket and movable between a reversibly closed position in which atleast a portion of the archwire slot is covered and an open position, inwhich the archwire slot is uncovered. The closure member may havevarious elements that slide, rotate, pivot, and/or enclose that can bemounted to the body of the bracket.

Yet another embodiment provides a self-ligating orthodontic bracket thatincludes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwireslot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodonticarchwire, a rotary ligating cover selectively rotatable between an openposition permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed positioncovering the archwire slot, and one or more locking features for holdingthe rotary cover in a closed position. Such locking feature may bepositioned and designed to cooperatively mate with other designatedportions of the bracket so as to achieve desired reversible engagementand open-retention features may also be provided that facilitate thepurposeful opening of the locking feature to permit manipulation of thebracket, archwire, etc. as deemed appropriate by either the orthodontistor the patient.

Other embodiments are directed towards an orthodontic self-ligatingbracket provided with a cover that can be rotated over an arch wire slotin the base portion to close when a frangible portion is severed uponinitiating rotation of the cover. Such cover rotates about a hinge,which may include a pin or axle that can be moved laterally and/orvertically after the frangible portion is severed and preferably ismanufactured to form one piece, such as using an injection molding,machining, or casting process, thus avoiding additional subsequentassembly to attach a cover to a base.

Some embodiments employ a self-ligating orthodontic bracket clipslidably engagable with the bracket to allow the clip to slidably movebetween an open position and a closed position in which the clip extendsacross the archwire slot to retain the archwire in the archwire slot.

Other embodiments employ a replaceable closing spring member detachablyconnected to a base member to maintain pivoting engagement of suchspring member when desired and easy removal of the spring members whendesired.

Other self ligating bracket designs include a latching member having ahinge pin made of a flexible material so that a portion of the latchingmember is engagable with the bracket.

In some embodiments, a range of adjustability is provided in the rangeof motion of a closing or locking member, thus limiting the forcesencountered by an archwire held in the archwire slot, thus permitteddesired sliding of the archwire in the slot. To accomplish this end, acamming mechanism can be employed. The bracket body may be formed from anon-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, ora ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. Aresilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage anaperture can be employed to achieve secure closure.

To further an appreciation of the various designs of the presentdisclosure and to assist in providing requisite support of writtendescription and enablement of the various features of the presentdisclosure, the following references are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entries: 20110081622 to Mashouf; U.S. Pat. No.7,695,277 to Stevens; 20100203463 to Huff; U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,443 toHagelganz; 20110076633 to Bryant; 20100285421 to Heiser; 20100159411 toOda; and 20100062387 to Hilliard.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in theattached figures and in the detailed description as provided herein andas embodied by the claims. It should be understood, however, that thisSummary section may not contain all of the aspects and embodimentsclaimed herein. Additionally, the disclosure herein is not meant to belimiting or restrictive in any manner, and is directed to be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the present disclosureis intended to encompass and include obvious improvements andmodifications of embodiments presented herein.

Additional advantages of the present disclosure will become readilyapparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate labial, side and end views of a first embodimentof an orthodontic bracket.

FIGS. 2A and 2B, illustrate labial and end views of the first embodimentof FIGS. 1A-C when ligating support means are employed to support anelastomeric ligature, and FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate labial and endviews of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1A-C when ligating support meansare not employed to support an elastomeric ligature, respectively.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate labial, side and end views of a modified versionof said first embodiment having an integral T-shaped hook and twinauxiliary slots.

FIGS. 4A-E illustrate labial, side and end views of a modified versionof said first embodiment having outer tie wing sidewalls that define atrapezoid therebetween, the end views illustrating various alternativeconfigurations of the base to provide for positive, negative, and notorque on a tooth.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate labial, side and end views of the modified versionof the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C, with a centralauxiliary slot.

FIGS. 6A-C illustrate labial, side and opposing end views of themodified version of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C, withan angulated gingival-occlusal center axis and twin auxiliary slots.

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate two views of an exemplary auxiliary device useablewith the auxiliary slots of, e.g., the embodiment of the orthodonticbracket shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the base of the orthodontic appliance, e.g., asshown in FIG. 4B without the flanges, and including a character basepattern embedded into the base 16 of the bracket.

FIG. 9A-B are cross-sections taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear or underneath view of the base 16 of an orthodonticappliance, e.g., the bracket shown in FIG. 4B with the flanges, andincluding a character base pattern.

FIG. 11A shows the base of an orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracket10 shown in FIGS. 1B and 5B with the flanges, and including a characterbase pattern and an auxiliary slot without a character pattern in theauxiliary slot.

FIG. 11B shows the base of an orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracketshown in FIGS. 1B and 5B with the flanges, wherein the base includes acharacter base pattern and an auxiliary slot with a character pattern inthe auxiliary slot.

FIG. 12A shows the base of an orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracketshown in FIG. 6B with flanges, wherein the base includes a characterbase pattern and twin auxiliary slots without a character pattern in theauxiliary slots.

FIG. 12B shows the base of an orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracketshown in FIG. 6B with flanges, wherein the base includes a characterbase pattern and twin auxiliary slots with a character pattern in theauxiliary slots.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the bracket of FIG. 4B without flanges, andincluding a discontinuous perimeter rail.

FIG. 14 is a rear or underneath view of the base of the bracket shown inFIG. 13.

FIGS. 15A-B are cross-sections taken along sectioning plane 15-15 ofFIG. 14, this plane represented by the line segments identified with thelabels 15.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the base of an orthodontic appliance, e.g.,the bracket shown in FIG. 4B with flanges, and including a characterbase pattern and a discontinuous perimeter rail.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the base of an orthodonticappliance having embedded informational characters therein, and a moldused to form the orthodontic appliance.

FIG. 18 is a separate embodiment of a pattern embedded into the base 16of an orthodontic appliance.

FIG. 19 is a labial view of a bracket having a labial positionedcharacter pattern on its flange portions.

FIG. 20 shows the base of an orthodontic appliance having a characterpattern for identifying the supplier of the appliance, wherein there isa single auxiliary slot that is offset from the center of the base 16.

FIG. 21 shows the base 16 of an orthodontic application having a body 8,wherein information is encoded into the base by, e.g., molding, and inparticular, providing the characters 94 as raised or projected portionsof the base 16.

FIGS. 22 through 27 show various orthodontic appliances with bases 16having encoded information embedded or formed in the bases, wherein thecharacters 94 are on the projected surface(s) 90 (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B), and the intermediary space 96 between the charactersis provided on the recessed surface(s) 92 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B).

FIGS. 28 through 41 show various orthodontic appliances with bases 16having encoded information embedded or formed therein, wherein thecharacters 94 are on the recessed surface(s) 90 (e.g., as shown in FIGS.9A and 9B), and the intermediary space 96 between the characters isprovided on the projected surface(s) 92 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B). Note that for a given figure number, whenever there are figures Aand B for the figure number, such figures A and B are different views ofthe same orthodontic appliance; e.g., FIGS. 40A and 40B are differentviews of the same orthodontic appliance.

FIG. 42 is a top perspective view the body of the self-ligatingorthodontic bracket 404.

FIG. 43 is a cross sectional view of the body 408 of the self-ligatingorthodontic bracket 404.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the rotatable member of theself-ligating orthodontic bracket 404.

FIG. 45 is a top perspective cutaway view of the body recess of theself-ligating orthodontic bracket 404.

FIG. 46 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket 404 in an open position.

FIG. 47 is a top perspective internal view of the rotatable memberresting within a cutout view of the body of the self-ligatingorthodontic bracket 404.

FIG. 48 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket 404 with the rotatable member in a closed position.

FIG. 49 is a top perspective internal view of the self-ligatingorthodontic bracket 404 with the rotatable member in a closed position.

FIG. 50 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket 404 with an archwire.

FIGS. 51A, and 51B each show: (a) a same fragmentary cross section ofthe body 408 of the self-ligating orthodontic bracket of FIG. 50,wherein the cross section is from a sectioning plane (not shown)corresponding to line segment A-A, and (b) a beveled leading edge 512 ofthe C-shaped slot coverable extension 476.

FIGS. 52A and 52B each show: (a) a same fragmentary cross section of thebody 408 of the self-ligating orthodontic bracket of FIG. 50 wherein thecross section is from a sectioning plane (not shown) corresponding toline segment A-A, and (b) a protrusion 520 on the underside 484 of theC-shaped slot coverable extension 476.

FIGS. 53A and 53B each show: (a) a same fragmentary cross section of thebody 408 of the self-ligating orthodontic bracket of FIG. 50 wherein thecross section is from a sectioning plane (not shown) corresponding toline segment A-A, and (b) a protrusion 520 on the underside 484 of theC-shaped slot coverable, extension 476 wherein the protrusion is able tomate with a depression or dimple 528.

FIG. 54 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket 404 with cutout channels.

FIG. 55 is a cross section of the body 408 of the self-ligatingorthodontic bracket of FIG. 54 wherein the cross section is from asectioning plane (not shown) corresponding to line segment B-B.

FIG. 56 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with slot coverable extension tabs in an open position.

FIG. 57 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with slot coverable extension tabs in a closed position.

FIGS. 58A and 58B are cross-sectional views of FIG. 57 through the linesegment C-C.

FIGS. 59A and 59B are cross-sectional views of FIG. 57 through the linesegment D-D.

FIG. 60 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with an index pin.

FIG. 61 shows a cross-sectional view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket of FIG. 60 through the line segment E-E.

FIG. 62 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with a second pair of C-shaped slot coverable extensions 476,all such extensions in the open position.

FIG. 63 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with a second pair of C-shaped slot coverable extensions 476wherein the rotatable member is turned counterclockwise into a closedposition.

FIG. 64 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with a second pair of C-shaped slot coverable extensions 476wherein the rotatable member is turned clockwise into a closed position.

FIG. 65 shows top perspective views of a pair of self-ligatingorthodontic brackets with notches and attached elastomeric chains.

FIG. 66 shows a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodonticbracket with an attachable rotatable member.

FIGS. 67A and 67B show views of a further embodiment of a self-ligatingorthodontic bracket 404 g with a slot covering rotatable member 456 g,wherein this bracket is in the open configuration allowing easyinsertion and/or extraction of an archwire 504 from the bracket slot428. In particular, FIG. 67A shows a top (slightly oblique) view of theorthodontic bracket 404 g, and FIG. 67B shows a corresponding side viewof the bracket 404 g.

FIGS. 68A and 68B show views of the self-ligating orthodontic bracket404 g, wherein this bracket is in the passively closed configurationsuch that insertion and/or extraction of an archwire 504 from thebracket slot 428 is prevented by rotatable member 456 g. However, thearchwire 504 is relatively loosely confined to the slot 428. Inparticular, FIG. 68A shows a top (slightly oblique) view of theorthodontic bracket 404 g in the closed passive configuration, and FIG.68B shows a corresponding side view of the bracket 404 g.

FIGS. 69A and 69B show views of the self-ligating orthodontic bracket404 g, wherein this bracket is in the actively closed configuration suchthat insertion and/or extraction of an archwire 504 from the bracketslot 428 is prevented by rotatable member 456 g, and the archwire 504 isrelatively firmly secured to the slot 428 to thereby prevent (orsubstantially inhibit) archwire movement therein. In particular, FIG.69A shows a top (slightly oblique) view of the orthodontic bracket 404 gin the closed active configuration, and FIG. 69B shows a correspondingside view of the bracket 404 g.

FIG. 70 shows a detailed end view of the slot 428 of the bracket 404 gwhen the bracket is in the closed passive configuration.

FIG. 71 shows a detailed end view of the slot 428 of the bracket 404 gwhen the bracket is in the closed active configuration.

FIG. 72 shows the bracket 404 g in side by side configurations of open,passively closed, and actively closed.

FIG. 73 shows an embodiment of the slot coverable rotatable member 456 gfor the bracket 404 g.

FIG. 74 shows an embodiment of the bracket body 408 g of the bracket 404g.

FIG. 75 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 74.

FIGS. 76 and 77 show another embodiment of the rotatable member (labeled476 h) for the bracket 404 g.

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a self-ligatingorthodontic bracket (404 i) with a slot covering rotatable member 456 i,wherein the rotatable member is separated from the bracket body 404 i tomore clearly show internal bracket features.

FIG. 79 is a plan view of the bracket 404 i in the open configuration.

FIG. 80 is a cross sectional view of the bracket 404 i produced bycutting through the bracket along two cutting planes associated withline segments identified by “F”. In particular, the cutting planes cutthe bracket perpendicularly to the drawing of FIG. 79.

FIG. 81 is a plan view of the bracket 404 i in the closed passiveconfiguration.

FIG. 82 is a plan view of the bracket 404 i in the closed activeconfiguration.

FIG. 83 shows an embodiment of a self ligating bracket 404 j with arotatable member 456 j that is similar the embodiment of FIG. 73 or 77.

The drawings provided herewith are not necessarily to scale. However,the drawings are believed to be proportionately accurate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the various embodiments of orthodontic brackets, and componentsthereof described hereinbelow, different embodiments of features orelements having a same general functionality will typically beidentified by a label having a same numical portion of the label, but adifferent letter as a suffix. Thus, for example, various embodiments ofa self ligating orthodontic bracket are disclosed hereinbelow, andidentified by the numerical label “404”, but at least some of thesedifferent embodiments are distinguished from one another by differentletters such that different bracket embodiments are identified below as“404”, “404 a”, “404 b”, etc.

A self-ligating orthodontic bracket 404 is shown in FIG. 42 having abracket body 408 with a back 412 and a front surface 416. The bracketbody 408 has a left side 420 and right side 424. An archwire slot 428that has a length generally spanning the extent between the left side420 to the right side 424 in the front surface 416. Attached to thebracket body 408 are tie wings 432L and 432R, wherein the tie wings 432Lare on (or adjacent to) the left side 420 and tie wings 432R are on (oradjacent to) the right side 424. The tie wings 432L and 432R extendoutwardly from the body 408, wherein one pair of tie wings 432L and 432Rextends away from the body on a generally gingival side 436 (when thebracket 404 is positioned on a patient's tooth), and another pair of tiewings 432L and 432R extends away from the body on a generally acclusalside 440 (when the bracket 404 is positioned on a patient's tooth). Thefront surface 416 of the bracket body 408 has a generally cylindricalrecess 444 therein which extends into the body 408. The cylindricalrecess 444 may be substantially defined by a generally circular wall 448extending into the body 408, wherein the cylindrical recess terminatesin a circular floor 452 (FIG. 43). FIG. 43 shows the bracket 404 incross section.

FIG. 44 discloses a rotatable member 456 which, when operably providedin the bracket 404, resides in the cylindrical recess 444 (FIGS. 42 and43) so that the rotatable member is able to rotate about the centralaxis 460 (FIG. 43) of the cylindrical recess as described hereinbelow.The rotatable member 456 has a cylindrical portion 464 attached toopposing columns 468 extending at right angles to the cylindricalportion 464. Each of the opposing columns 468 includes an interiorcolumn side 472. Attached to each opposing column 468 end that isopposite the cylindrical portion 464 is a C-shaped slot coverableextension 476 (also referred to as merely an “extension”). Theextensions 476 each extend perpendicularly from the column 464 to whichan end of the extension 476 is attached. Each slot coverable extension476 also has a free end 480 and an underside 484. The opposing columns468 have an outer curved surface 488 shaped which fits to the contour ofthe circular wall 448 of the cylindrical recess 444. Each of the curvedsurfaces 488 contains a circular groove 492. As an aside, note that thecylindrical portion 464 need not be necessarily cylindrical or circular.Indeed, the cylindrical portion 464 can have various shapes (e.g.,hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) as long as it is able to rotate within thecylindrical recess 44 about the central axis 460 of this recess.

FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of the cylindrical recess 444 disclosing therecess circular wall 448 and a circular protruding ring 496 which seatsinto the circular grooves 492 (FIG. 44) of the rotatable member 456. Inparticular, the circular protruding ring 496 and the circular grooves492 mate together for allowing the rotatable member 456 to be secured inthe cylindrical recess 444 and still rotate about the axis 460 (FIG.43).

FIG. 46 discloses an assembled bracket 404, wherein the rotatable member456 is inserted in the cylindrical recess 444 of the bracket body 408,and wherein the cylindrical portion 464 is seated against the circularfloor 452 (FIG. 43). When the rotatable member 456 is operably coupledto the bracket body 408, one of the slot coverable extensions 476 ispositioned on each of the left side 420 and right side 424 of the frontsurface 416 of the bracket body 408. As shown in FIG. 46, the interiorcolumn sides 472 sufficiently align with the archwire slot 428 sidewalls 500 for allowing an archwire 504 (FIG. 50) to be received withinthe slot 428 (e.g., totravel continuously from the left end 8 of thearchwire slot 428 to the right end 9 of the archwire slot 428, or viceversa). Moreover, note that FIG. 46 also shows the extensions residingin corresponding recesses 508 of the front surface 416 in a mannerwherein an archwire 504 to be readily inserted into the slot 428.

FIG. 47 discloses the rotatable member 456 as it sits within the bracketbody 408. The circular groove 492 is shown on the outer surface of oneof the attached opposing columns 468. FIGS. 46 and 47 show the rotatablemember 456 in the open position wherein the C-shaped extensions 476 donot extend over the archwire slot 428. In this open position an archwire504 (FIG. 50) may be inserted and removed from the archwire slot 428.

In FIG. 48 the rotatable member 456 is shown in a counterclockwiserotated configuration, wherein the slot coverable extensions 476 extendover (and partially spans) the archwire slot 428 such that an archwire504 is restrained to remain within the archwire slot 428. Theconfiguration of the rotatable member 456 shown in FIG. 48 is referredto herein as being in a “closed position”, wherein this term refers tothe extensions spanning the slot 428.

FIG. 49 discloses details of the rotatable member 456 when operablyprovided within the bracket body 408. The opposing interior column sides472 allow an archwire 504 to reside therebetween in the archwire slot428.

FIG. 50 discloses the rotatable member orthodontic bracket 404 with therotatable member 456 in the open position and an archwire 504 in thearchwire slot 428. FIGS. 51A and 51B are cross sections of the bracketbody 408 and the archwire 504 of FIG. 50, wherein the cross section isobtained from a sectioning plane (not shown) containing the line segmentidentified by the end letters A, wherein the sectioning plane is alsoperpendicular to the view arrows at the ends of the line segment. InFIG. 51A, a slot coverable extension 476 (extending through thesectioning plane but not cross sectioned) rests upon the bracket body408 entirely on one side of the slot 428. The free end 480 of thisextension 476 includes a beveled leading edge 512 as part of theunderside 484, wherein this beveled leading edge 512 facilitates theextension 476 sliding over the archwire 504 to, e.g., obtain theconfiguration as shown in FIG. 51B wherein this extension spans the slot512 and also extends over the opposite side 516 of the slot. Note thatin the embodiment shown in FIGS. 51A and 51B, the underside 484 issubstantially flat or planar such that the extension 476 holds thearchwire 504 only loosely within the archwire slot 428; e.g., theextension 476 does not cause or force the archwire into contact with thesurfaces of the slot 428 with sufficient force to induce frictionalforces therebetween that (for orthodontic purposes) would effectivelyinhibit movement of the archwire in a direction along the length of theslot.

An alternative embodiment of the C-shaped slot coverable extension 476(from that shown in FIGS. 51A and 51B) is shown in FIGS. 52A and 52B. Inparticular, FIGS. 52A and 52B show a protrusion 520 that extendsoutwardly from the underside 484 of the C-shaped extension 476, whereinthis protrusion 520 may be used to cause or force the archwire 504 intocontact with the surfaces of the slot 428 with sufficient force toinduce frictional forces therebetween such that (for orthodonticpurposes) such frictional forces effectively inhibit movement of thearchwire in a direction along the length of the slot. More particularly,referring to FIG. 52A, this figure discloses the cross-section of FIG.50 wherein the underside 484 of the extension 476 has the protrusion 520positioned to the left of the slot 428 in a manner that allows insertionor removal of an archwire 504 from the slot. However, in FIG. 52B, theextension 476 has been moved (e.g., via rotation of the rotatable member456) such that when the extension 476 restrains the archwire 504 fromdisengaging from the slot 428, the protrusion 520 contacts the archwirefor holding the archwire in place due to pressing the archwire against,e.g., the floor 524 of the slot.

In FIGS. 53A and 53B, the alternative embodiment of the C-shaped slotcoverable extension 476 of FIGS. 52A and 52B is shown with the frontsurface 416 of the bracket having a depression or dimple 528 in theopposite side 516 for loosely securing the archwire 504 in the slot 428.In particular, when the extension 476 is fully rotated counterclockwiseto span the slot 428 (FIG. 53B), the protrusion 520 mates with thedepression 528 for further securing the rotatable member 456 in itsfully rotated position.

FIGS. 54 and 55 show another embodiment of a self-ligating orthodonticbracket (identified by the label 404 a), wherein the cross section ofFIG. 55 is obtained from a sectioning plane (not shown) containing theline segment identified by the end letters B of FIG. 54, wherein thissectioning plane is also perpendicular to the view arrows at the ends ofthis line segment, and wherein the cross sectioned extension 476 isseparated from the bracket body 408 to more clearly show the featuresthereof. In particular, FIGS. 54 and 55 show a pair of protrusions 532on the underside 484 of each of the extensions 476 and near the free end480 thereof. These paired protrusions 532 fit into a correspondingrecess channel 536 on the bracket front surface 416, and slide in thisrecess channel when the rotatable member 456 is rotated such that theprotrusion of the pair that is closest to the free end 480 of theextension 476 (having the protrusion pair thereon) may exit/enter thisrecess channel and enter/exit the slot 428. Thus, for each of the recesschannels 536 there is a corresponding pair of protrusions 532 that slidetherein, during the rotation of the rotatable member 456.

When the rotatable member 456 (of the embodiments of, e.g., FIGS. 46,48, 50, 54 and 55) is fully rotated in the counterclockwise direction,for each extension 476, the free end 480 thereof enters a cutout 540 onthe opposing side of the slot 428, and the protrusion 532 closest tothis free end 480 enters (and seats with) a dimple 544 for furthersecuring the rotatable member 456 in its fully rotated position.

FIGS. 56, 57, 58A, 58B, 59A, and 59B show another embodiment of aself-ligating orthodontic bracket (identified by the label 404 b),wherein the C-shaped extensions 476 include corresponding pairs ofprotrusions 532 as described with reference to FIGS. 54 and 55. FIGS. 56and 57 show a tab 548 on each extension 476 such that the tab extendstowards the archwire slot 428. The surface of each tab 548 facing thefront surface 416 of the bracket body 408 may be smooth or may contain aprotrusion 550 (FIGS. 59A, 59B) for contacting the archwire (in the slot428), e.g., so that such contact induces frictional forces between thearchwire 504 and one or more of the slot surfaces for effectivelyinhibiting movement of the archwire in a direction along the length ofthe slot. FIG. 56 further shows recess channels 536. However, thechannels 536 are optional and not shown in FIGS. 58A, 58B, 59A, and 59B.FIG. 57 shows the extensions 476 is in a first of two closed positionswherein the extensions 476 span the slot 428. In the first closedposition of FIG. 57, for each pair of protrusions 532, the protrusionnearest its corresponding free end 480 (this protrusion referred tohereinbelow as the “terminal protrusion”) is seated in a depression ordimple 552 closest to the archwire slot 428 (FIG. 56). FIG. 57 furtherdiscloses that the tabs 548 do not extend into the archwire slot 428.When the rotatable member 456 is rotated further in the counterclockwisedirection (to a “second closed position”), each of the two terminalprotrusions (one per extension 476) may enter (and seat therewith) asecond dimple or depression 556. In the second closed position, the tabs548 at least extend over the slot 428, and in at least one embodimentspan the slot.

FIG. 58A shows a cross-section of FIG. 57, wherein this cross section isobtained from a sectioning plane (not shown) containing the line segmentidentified by the end letters “C”, and wherein this sectioning plane isalso perpendicular to the view arrows at the ends of this line segment.FIG. 58B is a cross-section related to FIG. 57. That is, FIG. 58B is across-section of FIG. 57 through the line segment identified by the endletters “C”, but with the rotatable member 456 in the second closedposition rather than the first closed position. Note that in the secondclosed position illustrated in FIG. 58B, the protrusion 532 contactingthe archwire 504 causes or forces the archwire into contact with thesurfaces of the slot 428 (e.g., the floor 524 thereof) with sufficientforce to induce frictional forces therebetween such that (fororthodontic purposes) such frictional forces effectively inhibitmovement of the archwire in a direction along the length of the slot.

FIGS. 59A and 59B, respectively, correspond to FIGS. 58A and 58B exceptthat the sectioning plane of FIG. 57 is through the line segment D-D. Inparticular, FIGS. 59A and 59B are cross-sections of the embodiment ofFIG. 57 in, respectively, the first closed position and the secondclosed position, wherein these cross sections are obtained from asectioning plane (not shown) containing the line segment identified bythe end letters “D” (FIG. 57), and wherein this sectioning plane is alsoperpendicular to the view arrows at the ends of this line segment. Notethat in the second closed position illustrated in FIG. 59B, theprotrusion 532 contacting the archwire 504 causes or forces the archwireinto contact with the surfaces of the slot 428 (e.g., the floor 524thereof) with sufficient force to induce frictional forces therebetweensuch that (for orthodontic purposes) such frictional forces effectivelyinhibit movement of the archwire in a direction along the length of theslot. In particular, FIG. 59A discloses the tab 548 with a smoothportion of underside 560 of the tab spanning the slot 428 opening forthereby holding the archwire 504 loosely therein. FIG. 59B shows the tab548 further rotated in the counterclockwise direction so that theprotrusion 550 contacts the archwire 504 causing or forcing the archwire504 into contact with the surfaces of the slot 428 (e.g., the floor 524thereof) with sufficient force to induce frictional forces therebetweensuch that (for orthodontic purposes) such frictional forces effectivelyinhibit movement of the archwire in a direction along the length of theslot.

When an orthodontic bracket is placed on a tooth, it is ideallypositioned with a slot of the bracket at a predetermined distance fromthe incisal edge or occlusal surface of the tooth. In addition, thelengthwise direction of the bracket slot may be placed at a right angleto the long axis of the tooth. FIGS. 60 and 61 show another embodimentof a self ligating orthodontic bracket (identified by the label 404 c)having a rotatable member 456. FIG. 61 is a cross section of FIG. 60,wherein this cross section is obtained from a sectioning plane (notshown) containing the line segment identified by the end letters “E”(FIG. 60), and wherein this sectioning plane is also perpendicular tothe view arrows at the ends of this line segment. FIGS. 60 and 61 alsoshow an index pin 564 attached to the orthodontic bracket 404 c, whereinthis pin assists an orthodontist (or techician) in visualizing thecorrect placement of the bracket 404 on a patient's tooth, and inparticular, relative to the tooth's longitudinal axis (extending fromthe tooth's incisal edge or occlusal surface toward the root of thetooth as one skilled in the art will understand), and additionally,relative to a distance from the tooth's incisal edge or occlusal surfaceas one skilled in the art will also understand. The index pin 564 isattached to the bracket 404 c, e.g., by the use of a pair seats 568 inthe front surface 416 of the bracket 404 c, wherein the seats may besubstantially midway between the left side 420 and the right side 424 ofthe bracket. FIGS. 60 and 61 further show a measuring notch 572substantially midway between the slot side walls 500 for therebyassisting the orthodontist (or technician) in the positioning of thebracket 404 c so that the slot 428 is properly longitudinally positionedrelative to the incisal edge or occlusal surface of the tooth upon whichthe bracket 404 c is to be placed.

FIGS. 62-64 disclose another self ligating bracket embodiment 404 d,wherein there are two pairs of C-shaped slot coverable extensions 476 aand 476 b. FIG. 62 shows the bracket 404 d in an open position, whereinan archwire 504 may be readily inserted into the slot 428. The firstpair of extensions 476 a have protrusions 532 on the under side neartheir free ends 480. The second pair of extensions 476 b have a flatunderside 484 not including a prutrusion 532. FIG. 63 shows therotatable member 456 d having the extensions 476 a rotatedcounterclockwise wherein the underside protrusions 532 engage adepression or dimple 544 (for thereby holding the archwire 504 withinthe slot 428, wherein the undersides that contact the archwire include adepresson, dimple or other thickness (not shown) that is able to causeor force the archwire into contact with the surfaces of the slot 428(e.g., the floor 524 thereof) with sufficient force to induce frictionalforces therebetween such that (for orthodontic purposes) such frictionalforces effectively inhibit movement of the archwire in a direction alongthe length of the slot. FIG. 64 shows the rotatable member 456 rotatedclockwise wherein the second extensions 476 b have a flat undersidesthat contact and hold the archwire 504 loosely in the slot 428 so that,e.g., the archwire is able to slide within the slot (under typicalorthodontic forces) substantially parallel to the length of the slot.

FIG. 65 discloses bracket 404 e embodiment. The bracket 404 e includes amodification of the bracket tie wings wherein the upper and lower lefttie wings 432L have notches 580 and the upper and lower right tie wingshave notches 584. The notches 580 and 584 allow attachment oforthodontic elastomeric chains 588 to the tie wings 432L and 432R on thegingival side 436 and/or to the tie wings 432L and 432R on the occlusalside 440. Elastomeric chains 588 include a series of connected islets592 made from an elastic material. The elastomeric chains 588 arenormally used to close spaces between teeth, rotate teeth, and/ormaintain the lack of spacing between teeth. The elastomeric chains 588may circle all four tie wings 432L and 432R of the bracket 404 e forsecuring the archwire 504 in the archwire slot 428. In FIG. 65, theelastomeric chain 588 encircles only a ginvigal pair of tie wings 432Land 432R. The elastomeric chain 588 can be changed without disturbingthe archwire 508 or, conversely, the archwire 508 can be changed withoutdisturbing the elastomeric chain 588.

The bracket embodiments described hereinabove may include integral hooksfor rubber band wear by a patient. Channels may be in such brackets toreceive removable hooks for rubber band and other attachments.

FIG. 66 shows a further bracket embodiment 404 f, wherein an attachablecover 596 for locking into the cylindrical interior of the rotatablemember 456 f. In particular, the attachable cover 596 includes arcuateshaped columns 604 extending from a slot covering 608. Each of thearcuate columns 604 has an arcuate extent 612 that is for mating with acorresponding one of the interior column sides 472 of the rotatablemember 456 f, wherein when mated, each arcuate extent 612 issubstantially coextensive with a corresponding extent of its matedinterior column side 472. Each of the interior column sides 472 includesa recess 616 (alternatively ridge) for mating with a corresponding ring620 on the exterior surface of one of the arcuate shaped columns 604 forsecuring this arcuate shaped column to the rotatable member 456 f.Additionally, the attachable cover 596 includes alignment appendages 624for mating with alignment recesses 628 so that when the arcuate shapedcolumns 604 are inserted into the cylindrical recess 444 of the bracketbody 408 (as arrows 630 so indicate), an orthodontist (or technician)can be confident that the arcuate shaped columns align with interiorcolumns sides 472 for properly mating the rings 620 with the recesses616. Accordingly, after an archwire 504 (not shown in FIG. 66) isprovided in the slot 428, the attachable cover 596 can be inserted intothe cylindrical recess 444 and mated with the rotatable member 456 f(via both the rings 620 and the alignment appendages 624) for therebycausing the portion of the slot 428 extending across the cylindricalrecess to be covered by the slot covering 608. Subsequently (or priorto), assembly of the combination of the rotatable member 476 a and theattachable cover 596, this assembly can be rotated, e.g., counterclockwise, within the bracket body 408 so that the C-shaped slotcoverable extensions 476 also cover the slot 428 and archwire 504therein as described hereinabove.

FIGS. 67-75 show an alternative embodiment of a bracket 404 g having arotatable member 456 g which, in turn, includes slot coverableextensions 476 g that are substantially straight and bar shaped. FIGS.67A and 67B show the rotatable member 456 g in the open position whereinthe archwire 504 is not secured in the slot 504 by the extensions 476 g.Alternatively, FIGS. 68A and 68B show the rotatable member 456 g in afirst closed position, wherein the archwire 504 is passively restrainedto the slot 504. Additionally, FIGS. 69A and 69B show the rotatablemember 456 g in a second closed position, wherein the archwire 504 isactively restrained to reside in the slot 504. Note that FIGS. 70 and 71show magnified views of the archwire 504 being restrained to the slot428, respectively, in a passive configuration (as in FIG. 68), and in anactive configuration (as in FIG. 69). In particular, FIGS. 70 and 71more clearly show archwire restraining wedges 636 attached to the slotfacing side of each of the extensions 476 g, wherein in the activeconfiguration of FIG. 71, these wedges exert a force(s) (indicated byarrows 640) for pressing the archwire 504 against the slot floor 534.Note that such a wedge 636 also shown in FIG. 73, and FIG. 76 showing analternative embodiment of the rotatable member as described hereinbelow.

In FIG. 72, all three bracket 404 g configurations: open, passivelyclosed, and actively closed are shown from left to right, wherein thedifference these configurations is primarily the rotation of therotatable member 456 g relative to the bracket body 408 g. Inparticular, relative to the (left most) open bracket configuration inFIG. 72, the passively closed (middle) bracket configuration has therotatable member 456 g rotated through an angle 644, and the activelyclosed (right most) bracket configuration has the rotatable memberrotated through an angle 648. Note that the angle 644 may be in a rangeof 20° to 45°, and the angle 648 may be in a range of 30° to 90°.

FIGS. 73 and 74, respectively, show an embodiment of the rotatablemember 476 g, and a corresponding bracket body 408 g for the bracket 404g. The rotatable member 476 g includes at least one tab 652 extendingoutwardly from the cylindrical portion 464, and a gap 656. When therotatable member 476 g is operably assembled with the bracket body 408 gof FIG. 74, the peak 660 of the tab 652 is moveable from one notch 664(FIG. 74) to another such notch of a bank 666 of notches provided on thewall 448 of the cylindrical recess 444. Note that although only twonotches 664 are shown, three, four or more notches may be provided forrotating the rotatable member 456 g in discrete increments within thebody 408 g. Additionally, the notches 664 may vary in their extentdirected forward the central axis 460 so that, e.g., the peak 660 seatsin the notches by pressing radially outward from the central axis 460 asshown in FIG. 75. Moreover, stop walls 668 prevent the tab 652 fromrotating beyond the extent of the notches 664. Note that in oneembodiment, there may be at least two such tabs 652 provided, e.g., onopposite sides of the perimeter of the cylindrical portion 464 and acorresponding set of notches

The rotatable member 476 g may be provided in the recess 444 byinsertion from the front surface 416 of the body 408 g as indicated bythe arrow 672 (FIG. 74). The gap 656 in the rotatable member 456 gallows the cylindrical portion 464 and the columns to compresssufficiently for the tab 652 to be inserted into the recess 444 beyondthe notches 664. Accordingly, once the cylindrical portion 464 issufficiently inserted into the recess 444 so that the tab(s) 652 passthe bank(s) 666 of notches, the cylindrical portion expands so that atleast one tab enters a recessed area of the wall 448 bounded by two ofthe stop walls 668 and one of the banks 666 therebetween. Thus, once atab 652 enters such a recessed area, the bank 666 acts as a ledge forsecuring or locking the cylindrical portion 464 into the recess 444, butalso has a range of rotation (about the axis 460) corresponding to theseparation between the stop walls 668 bounding the tab's recessed area.In particular, the bank In one embodiment, a resilient component (e.g.,a spring) may bias the tab 652 toward the notches 664 so that the peak660 seats within one of the notches. In another embodiment, the gap 656may be configured so that when a rotational force is applied to therotatable member 456 g, the tab 652 moves from one of notches toanother.

FIGS. 76 and 77 show an alternative embodiment of the rotatable member(denoted 456 h), wherein the tab 652 and the gap 656 may be replaced bynotch 676 in the base of the cylindrical portion 464, and a pin 680(FIG. 77) that is provided in the notch 676. The rotatable member 465 h,minus the pin 680, is inserted into the body 408 g (FIG. 74) in thedirection as shown by the arrow 672. However, since there is no tab (orother projection) extending outwardly beyond the perimeter of thecylindrical portion 464, the rotatable member 456 h slides into the bodyrecess 444 without substantial compression (if any). Subsequently, oncethe rotatable member 456 h (minus the pin 680) is provided in the recess444, the pin is welded (or otherwise secured, e.g., by fusing, gluing,etc.) into the notch 676. Accordingly, each of the pin extensions 684that extend outwardly from the perimeter of the cylindrical portion 464and operate within the recess 444 of the body 408 g substantially as atab 652 of FIG. 73 in that each such pin extension may seat in one ofthe notches 664 of a corresponding bank 666 of such notches. Note thatthe pin 680 is shown as cylindrical in FIG. 77, and in one embodimentmay be a small round niti or stainless steel wire. However, the pin 680(or at least the extensions 684 thereof) may have various shapes,including a cross section substantially identical to the tab 652, and/ora rounded end for more readily sliding from one notch 664 to another.

FIGS. 78 through 82 show additional embodiments of a self ligatingbracket with a rotatable member. Referring to FIG. 78, this figure showsvarious embodiments of a bracket 404 i, wherein the rotatable member 456i is shown separated from the remainder of the bracket to more clearlyillustrate the features of the bracket. As can be seen, the slotcoverable extensions 476 i are irregularly shaped. The shape of theextensions 476 i provides for orthodontic tool receiving attachmentareas 688 for grasping the rotatable member 456 i, e.g., with a pair ofprongs or a tweezer-like tool (not shown) for simultaneously attachingto at least two opposing (non-adjacent) areas 688 and rotating therotatable member. Additionally, the irregular shape of the extensions476 i has the advantages that when rotated into the passive closedconfiguration of FIG. 81 there is a relatively small surface area ofthese extensions constraining an archwire 508 to remain within the slot504. Moreover, since the underside 692 of these extensions 476 i thatface the slot 428 (and the bracket front face 416 i) can be convexlycurved so that the thickness 696 (FIG. 78) of the extensions in theregions 704 becomes thinner, and since the regions 704 are the outermost portions of the extensions that cover the slot in the passiveconfiguration of FIG. 81, the result of such convexity is that the slotcovering portion of the extensions 476 i is fluted. Accordingly, due tothis fluting, it is less likely that an archwire 504 in the slot 428will bind on contacting an edge of the extensions 476 i extending overthe slot 428. This may be particularly important for the bracket 404 iin the passive configuration of FIG. 81 since the passive configurationis intended to allow slippage of the archwire 504 in the slot 428, andthe archwire may (purposely or inadvertently during treatment) exertnon-trivial orthodontic forces in contacting the extension underside692.

A further advantage of the irregular shape of the extensions 476 i isthat when the rotatable member 456 i is rotated into the active closedposition of FIG. 82, there is a substantial increase in the extent ofthe slot 428 covered by the extensions. In particular, there isapproximately twice the amount of slot 428 opening covered by theextensions 468 i in the active configuration, but such a change in theslot opening coverage may be in a range from, e.g., 20% more slotcoverage in the active closed position (than in the passive closedposition) to over 100% more slot coverage in the active closed position(than in the passive closed position), and more preferably in a range ofat least 40% more slot coverage in the active closed position (than inthe passive closed position) to over 100% more slot coverage in theactive closed position (than in the passive closed position).Accordingly, since the active closed position is generally used duringorthodontic treatment when it is desirable for the archwire 504 toremain substantially fixed relative to the slot (and/or move only smallamounts in orthodontic terms), the increased length of the slot beingcovered by the extensions 476 i assists in maintaining a desiredalignment of the archwire relative to the bracket 404 i. Moreover, eventhought the archwire 504 may be firmly biased into contacting the slotfloor 534 (FIG. 80) at one or more locations along the slot 428 lengthin the active configuration, the archwire may also angle away from theslot floor as the archwire extends to the ends of the slot, and thelengthened slot coverage in this active configuration may furtherconstrain the archwire from changing shape or orientation thus providingbetter control over the alignment of the archwire relative to thebracket 404 i.

Referring again to FIG. 78, the bracket body 408 i includes a generallycylindrical recess 444 i substantially in the center of the slot 428 forrotatably attaching the rotatable member 456 i to the bracket body 408i. The interworking features and elements of the cylindrical recess 444i and rotatable member 456 i are best described with reference to bothFIGS. 78 and 80. Accordingly, it is noted that FIG. 80 is a crosssection of bracket 408 i according to the sectioning planescorresponding with the line segments identified by “F” in FIG. 79.

The rotatable member 456 i includes columns 468 i, one such columnattached to the underside 692 of each of the extensions 476 i. Each ofthe columns 468 i includes a wedge 708 at its free end for interlockingwith a ledge 712 (FIG. 80) of an expanded diameter base portion 716(FIG. 80) of the recess 444 i. Accordingly, when the rotatable member456 i is inserted into the bracket body 408 i (as indicated by arrow720, FIG. 78), the wedges 708 initially compress inwardly toward thecentral axis 460 i (FIGS. 78 and 80), but then expand outwardly when theexpanded diameter base portion 716 is encountered thereby securing therotatable member 456 i in the recess 444 i.

Each of the columns 468 i may also include a locking tab 724 (FIG. 78)for engaging (and entering into) notches 728 a-c (FIGS. 79-82) definedby pairs of closely spaced ridges 732 distributed about thecircumference wall 730 of the recess 444 i. In particular, there is apair of ridges 732 (and a notch 728 a-c between the ridges of each pair)for securing the rotatable member 456 i in each one of its open,passively closed, and actively closed positions. Accordingly, there arethree pairs of ridges 732 for each of the two locking tabs 724 such thatthe locking tabs synchronously lock into a corresponding notch 728. Inparticular, the locking tabs 724 lock into the notches 728 a forsecuring the rotatable member 456 i in the open position (FIG. 79); thelocking tabs lock into the notches 728 b for securing the rotatablemember in the passively closed position (FIG. 81); and the locking tabslock into the notches 728 c for securing the rotatable member in theactively closed position (FIG. 82). Note that there is a stop 734attached to, e.g., the wall 730 for preventing each of the columns 468 ifrom rotating into slot 428.

The rotatable member 456 i also includes variable thickness archwirestabilizers 736 on the underside 692 of each of the extensions 476 i.Each stabilizer 736 is arcuately shaped such that its inner lengthwiseside 740 is uniformly radially offset from the central axis 460 i, andthe stabilizer's outer lengthwise side 742 is uniformly radially offseta larger amount from the central axis 460 i. Moreover, for eachstabilizer 736, as its arcuate length is traversed from first end 744clockwise to its second end 748, the thickness of the stabilizerincreases thereby extending progressively further in the direction ofbracket body 408 i and away from at least the immediately surroundingportion of the underside 692 surface. When the bracket 404 i isassembled, and the rotatable member 456 i is in the open position (FIG.79), each stabilizer 736 substantially resides in a correspondingarcuate bay 752 which is deeper than the maximal thickness of thestabilizer. When the rotatable member 456 i is rotated into the closedpassive position (FIG. 81), each of the stabilizers 736 extendspartially into the slot 428. However, since the portion of eachstabilizer 736 extending into the slot 428 has a relatively thinthickness, the archwire 504 in the slot is not pressed against the slotfloor 534 (FIG. 80) by the stabilizer. However, when the rotatablemember 456 i is rotated into the closed active position (FIG. 82), thethickest part of the each of the stabilizers 736 extends into the slot428, and accordingly, the archwire 504 in the slot 428 is firmly pressedagainst the slot floor 534 by the stabilizer. Note that as the rotatablemember 456 i is rotated into the closed active position, the leadingthin portion 756 (FIG. 82) of each stabilizer 736 is received into acorresponding bay 760.

In one embodiment, each of the stabilizers 736 may be shaped so thatalthough its thickness increases along a clockwise traversal of itslength from the leading portion 756 to near the trailing edge 764.However, just before trailing edge is reached, the thickness of thestabilizer rapidly (but smoothly) tapers off and merges with thesurrounding underside 692 surface. Accordingly, rotatable member 456 iwill readily move in both the clockwise and counter clockwisedirections, and the stabilizers 736 will not bind on entering or exitingtheir corresponding pair of bays 752 and 760.

The rotatable member 456 i also includes a ring 768 (FIGS. 78 and 80)that connects to each of the columns 468 i generally between just abovetheir wedges 708. When the bracket 404 i is fully assembled, the ring768 assists in maintaining proper orientation of the columns 468 i asthese columns are angularly moved about the central axis 460 i when therotatable member 456 i is rotated between the open, passively closed,and actively closed positions. In particular, when the bracket 404 i isassembled, the ring 768 fits over an alignment cylinder 770 (FIGS.78-82) attached to the base 716. Accordingly, when the rotatable member456 i is rotated about the central axis 460 i, the ring 768 rotatesabout the exterior surface of the alignment cylinder 770, and assists inpreventing the wedges 708 from binding in the annular passageway 772(FIG. 80) between the annular ledge 712 and the base 716. In oneembodiment, the ring 768 may be very flexible thereby allowing thecolumns 468 i to resiliently move radially relative to the central axis460 i and thereby accommodate corresponding radial movement of thelocking tabs 724 in and out of the notches 728 a-c.

In one embodiment, the rotatable member 456 i may also include a cap(not shown) that substantially encloses the recess 444 i at or about thelevel of the slot floor 534. Such a cap would typically be parallel theunderside 692, attached to the columns 468 i, and generally circular forfitting in the circular opening just above, e.g., the ridges 732 (FIG.78).

In other embodiments of the rotatable member 456 i, this member may beconfigured in a manner similar to the extension of 456, FIG. 44, in thatthe cylindrical portion 464 and/or the columns 468, respectively, mayreplace the ring 768 and/or the columns 468 i. The rotatable member 456i may also be configured similarly to rotatable member 456 g (FIG. 73)or 476 h (FIGS. 76, 77), wherein the alignment cylinder 770 may beremoved from the recess 444 i, and each pair of ridges 732 beingreplaced by at least one notch 666.

Note that although the alignment cylinder 770 is shown as hollow in,e.g., FIG. 78, embodiments of the alignment cylinder may be solid aswell. Moreover, a solid alignment cylinder 770 may have advantages inenhancing the strength of the bracket 404 i, providing easiermanufacturability, and providing fewer areas where bacteria, calculusand the like may build up.

In one embodiment of the rotatable member 456 i, the ring 768 maycooperate with the stabilizers 736 to fix the archwire 504 in the slot428. In particular, the ring 768 may be a cylinder and have threads 776on its inner cylindrical surface wherein such threads mate with threads780 on the exterior surface of the alignment cylinder 770. Such matingthreads will, within a 90° counter clockwise rotation, mesh together totighten the extensions 476 i onto the archwire 504, and subsequently (ifdesired) loosen the extension 476 i from actively closing on thearchwire when the mated threads are (at partially) unmeshed by a 90°clockwise rotation. Note that although the embodiments of FIGS. 79-82show such mating threads 776 and 780, such threads may be onlyoptionally provided in embodiments of the bracket 404 i, andaccordingly, the surfaces described as being threaded hereinabove mayinstead be smooth.

Note that, in one embodiment, the locking tabs 724 may be provided oncolumns or posts separate from the columns 468 i.

It is noteworthy that the bracket 404 i includes the followingdistinctions in comparison to at least the bracket embodiments of FIGS.41-66 described above:

-   -   (i) No portion of the bracket 404 i fits into or is adjacent to        the floor (e.g., 716) of the recess 444 i as comparable elements        do in the bracket embodiments of FIGS. 41-66.    -   (ii) The extensions 476 i are not “C” shaped as disclosed in the        description of the bracket embodiments of FIGS. 41-66.    -   (iii) The extensions 476 i cover the slot 428 with different        coverage amounts of coverage depending on whether the bracket is        in a closed passive configuration or a closed active        configuration. In particular, a lesser extent of slot coverage        is provided for the closed passive configuration so that the        archwire is allowed more movement in the slot, and a greater        extent of slot coverage is provided for the closed active        configuration.    -   (iv) The underside (692) of the extensions 476 i are tapered or        fluted at their boundaries (particularly, the boundaries that        can connect the archwire and potentially bind thereon if not        tapered or fluted).    -   (v) The mechanism(s) for securing the rotatable member 456 i in        the positions: open, passively closed, and actively closed are        internal to the recess 444 i, whereas in the embodiments of        FIGS. 41-66, such securing features reside in interactions        between the front surface 416 and the facing side of the        extensions where these securing features can be more easily        disengaged.    -   (vi) The extensions 476 i provide features for attaching an        orthodontic tool thereto for rotating the rotatable member        456 i. No such tool attachment features are available in the        embodiments of FIGS. 41-66.

The description hereinbelow describes the encoding of information on thetooth facing side of an orthodontic bracket base as well as associatedtechniques for providing enhanced adhesion of the bracket to its tooth.It is within the scope of the present disclosure to use the techniquesdisclosed hereinbelow with the various embodiments of self ligatingbrackets 404, and 404 a through 404 i described hereinabove.

One embodiment of the body 8 of an edgewise bracket 10 of the presentdisclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C and 2A-D, with variousmodifications, modalities and an exemplary auxiliary reflected by FIGS.3A-C, 4A-E, 5A-C, 6A-C and 7A-B, and with various base structures and asillustrated in FIGS. 8-18 and 20-59. Corresponding features arereferenced by common reference numerals.

The edgewise bracket 10 comprises two integral, opposing T-shaped tiewings 12 and 14 having a common base portion and base surface 16, anddefining an archwire slot 18 therebetween. By way of example only, aflange 32 may be adjoined to the bracket 10 for subsequent attachment toa band. Alternatively, the bracket may be adjoined to a bonding pad (notshown).

Two sets of opposing ligating support means 20 and 22, are provided,each set comprising a gingivally disposed notch and occlusally disposednotch on the gingival and occlusal edges of tie wings 12, 14,respectively. Each ligating support means has a sloped portion 24 andtop land portion 26. The sloped portions 24 have concave, curvilinearsurfaces.

Each of the T-shaped tie wings 12, 14 comprises a cantilevered centralleg portion 28 centered upon the gingival-occlusal center axis (lyingwithin plane AA) of the bracket 10 and cantilevered mesial/distal wingtip portions 30, with the above-noted top land portions 26integral-therebetween. The gingival/occlusal extremes of the center leg28 and mesial/distal wing tip portions 30 of the tie wings 12, 14define, from the labial aspect, an elliptical configuration E. In thisregard, cantilevered wing tip portions 30 extend a sufficient distance doutward from the outer sidewalls 34, 36 of the tie wings 12, 14,respectively, to retain a ligating device in an arcuate seat 38 formedunder the cantilevered tie wing tip portions 30 and center legs 28.Relatedly, the cantilevered center leg 28 of each T-shaped tie wing 12,14, extends a distance f beyond the outer gingival/occlusal extreme ofthe ligating support means 20 adjacent thereto, such distance f being atleast approximately as great as the distance d.

The sidewalls defining the archwire slot 18 comprise two sets ofopposing convex portions 42 to reduce frictional engagement with anarchwire. Similarly, the floor of archwire slot 18 is provided with twoconvex portions 44 extending transversely across the archwire slot 18 toreduce frictional engagement with an archwire. As illustrated in FIGS.1A-C, the ligating support means 20, convex slot sidewall portions 42,and convex slot floor portion 44 disposed on the same side of thegingival-occlusal center plane AA may have a common center axis (lyingwithin plane BB). As such, frictional engagement between an archwire andthe slot walls and base, and between an archwire and ligating devicesupported on ligating support means 20 occurs in a limited region aboutplane BB.

An optional auxiliary slot 70 may be provided to receive a complimentaryauxiliary device, such as the exemplary auxiliary 74 illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B. The inner sidewalls of auxiliary slot 70 andinterfacing shaft portion 76 of the exemplary auxiliary 74 arepreferably configured to restrict rotational movement therebetween. Asillustrated, a complimentary square-angled configuration may beemployed. Additionally, the auxiliary 74 preferably comprises anextending portion 78 having an outer configuration which will not fitinto auxiliary slot 70, thereby facilitating placement and removal.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate the interface between an archwire X andelastomeric ligating device Y when both sets of the ligating supportmeans 20 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C are utilized. FIGS.2C-D illustrate the interface between an archwire X and elastomericligating device Y when neither of the ligating support means 20 of suchembodiment are utilized. As will be appreciated by those in the art,there are different treatment situations where each of these modalitiesmay be desired. Additionally, the provision of a set of ligating supportmeans 20 on each of the mesial and distal sides of the bracket 10 allowsa practitioner to utilize one set but not the other, as may bedesirable.

In FIGS. 3A-C an integral T-shaped hook 50 is provided as an extensionto the center leg 28 of one of the T-shaped tie wings 12. The T-shapedhook 50 preferably comprises flat lingual and labial surfaces (see FIG.3C), and is preferably malleable to allow for pivotal movement relativeto center leg 20. The T-shaped hook 50 preferably comprises a taperedportion 52, arcuate neck portion 54 and head portion 56, wherebyretention of a traction device in neck portion 54 is enhanced.

Twin auxiliary slots 80 may be optionally provided for receipt of anauxiliary device, such as the exemplary auxiliary 74 shown in FIGS.7A-B. The twin auxiliary slots 80 are beneficially disposed under theconvex slot floor portions 44. The configuration of slots 80 andexemplary auxiliary 74 may be as described above to restrict rotationalmovement therebetween and facilitate placement/removal.

FIGS. 3A-C also illustrate optional saddles 60 which can be provided inthe support landing portions 26 for receiving a ligating device. It isbelieved that such saddles 60 may be beneficial in certain earlytreatment situations for purposes of retaining an undersized archwire inthe desired position for rotational purposes.

In FIGS. 4A-E, the outer sidewall 34 of tie wing 12 and outer sidewall36 of tie wing 14 define a trapezoid therebetween. Specifically outerside wall 34 is angled relative to the longitudinal center plane CC ofthe archwire slot 18, and the outer tie wing sidewall 36 is disposed inparallel relation to the center plane CC of the archwire slot 18. Byvirtue of this arrangement, the outer sidewall 34 may be, for example,advantageously disposed gingivally on partially erupted upper bicuspids.Further, bracket systems employed by this configuration will generallyreduce bracket/tooth contact between upper and lower arches.

Referring in more detail to FIGS. 4C-E, the trapezoidal configuration ofthe bracket 10 is illustrated with three alternate configurations forthe base portion 16. Generally, the configuration of the base portion16, namely its occlusal/gingival extent, may be defined in relation tothe reference plane RP. As can be seen in FIGS. 4B-E, the referenceplane RP coincides with that portion of the bottom or floor of thearchwire slot 18 which engages the archwire when positioned therein(e.g., a plane which is tangent to the two convex slot floor portions44.

The configurations of base portion 16 in FIGS. 4C-E allow a practitionerto provide positive, negative, and no torque on a tooth of a particularorientation. Initially, with the tie wing 34 being gingivally positionedin a maxillary application, the base portion 16 of FIG. 4C would be usedto provide for “positive torque” on a tooth, the base portion 16 of FIG.4D would be used to provide for “negative torque” on a tooth, and thebase portion 16 of FIG. 4E would be used to provide for “no torque” on atooth. More particularly, in the case of the bracket 10 of FIG. 4C thebase portion 16 would thereby extend from its gingival edge to itsocclusal edge generally toward the reference plane RP in order toproperly orient the archwire slot 18 on the orthodontic patient.Moreover, in the case of the bracket 10 of FIG. 4D the base portion 16would thereby extend from its gingival edge to its occlusal edgegenerally away from the reference plane RP in order to properly orientthe archwire slot 18 on the orthodontic patient. Furthermore, in thecase of the bracket 10 of FIG. 4E the base portion 16 would therebyextend from its gingival edge to its occlusal edge generally parallelwith the reference plane RP in order to properly orient the archwireslot 18 on the orthodontic patient.

In the event that the tie wing 36 is gingivally positioned in amandibular application, the base portion 16 of FIG. 4C would provide for“negative torque” on the tooth, the base portion 16 of FIG. 4D wouldprovide for “positive torque” on the tooth, and the base portion 16 ofFIG. 4E would provide “no torque” on the tooth.

The modified embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C is shown withadditional features in FIGS. 5A-C and 6A-C, although the bracket 10 ofFIGS. 4D-E could be similarly modified as well. In FIGS. 5A-C, a centralauxiliary slot 70 is provided. However, such an auxiliary slot 70 neednot be centrally located along the mesial-distal extent of the bracket.Instead, the auxiliary slot 70 more to the mesial side of the bracket,or more to the distal side of the bracket.

FIGS. 6A-C illustrate the inclusion of twin auxiliary slots 80 forreceiving of auxiliary devices. The twin vertical slots 80 are disposedso that each passes under one of the convex slot floor portions 44.

In the version shown in FIGS. 6A-C, it should also be appreciated thatthe gingival-occlusal center axis of the bracket (lying within plane AA)can be disposed at an acute angle relative to center axis of archwireslot 18 (lying within plane CC). More particularly, center legs 28 maybe centered upon the gingival-occlusal center axis and may be providedwith distal/mesial surfaces 84 which are parallel to thegingival-occlusal center axis thereby facilitating placement of thebracket. In this modified version, it should be recognized that whilethe center plane BB of the ligating support means 20 is also disposedparallel to the gingival-occlusal center axis, the apices of the convexslot sidewall portions 42 and convex slot floor portion on each ofmesial and distal sides lie in a plane which is perpendicular to thearchwire slot center plane CC. Relatedly, it should be appreciated that,when a T-shaped hook is utilized (such as the T-shaped hook 50illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C above), the center axis thereof will bedisposed perpendicularly to the center axis of the archwire slot 18 andat an angle relative to the gingival-occlusal center axis of the bracket10.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another aspect of the present disclosure isshown. FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged rear elevation view of the rearsurface or base 16 of an orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracket 10, asshown in FIG. 4B, but without flanges 32. Base 16 includes gingival edge86 a, distal edge 86 b, occlusal edge 86 c, and mesial edge 86 d. Withinthe interior of edges 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 d is interior region 88.As depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B, interior region 88 includes at least oneprojected surface 90 and at least one recessed surface 92. The projectedsurface 90 of the interior region 88 is a surface that is bothsubstantially parallel to the tooth's surface and closest to the tooth'ssurface upon attachment of the orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracket10 to the tooth. The recessed surface 92 is a surface of the interiorregion 88 that is also substantially parallel to the tooth's surface,but is further away from the tooth's surface than the projected surface90 upon attachment of the orthodontic appliance, e.g., the bracket 10 tothe tooth. The recessed surface 92 is preferably recessed between about0.009 to 0.012 inches relative to the projected surface 90, and morepreferably, the recessed surface is recessed about 0.010 inches relativeto the projected surface 90.

Characters 94 (e.g., FIG. 8) and intermediate space 96 extendsubstantially continuously within interior region 88, between edges 86a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 d. The pattern of characters 94 may be repeating,such as the letters “RMO”® shown in FIG. 8, or they may be anon-repeating series of characters 94. Alternately, the characters maybe a set of information regarding the orthodontic appliance, such as:

-   -   (i) its intended installation location such as characters        representing tooth location, e.g., the characters “CENT” for        identifying the installation location as a central tooth , “BIC”        for identifying the installation location as a cuspid tooth,        “MOL” for identifying the installation location as a molar;        alternatively/optionally, such tooth locations may be identified        by tooth number such as the number “8” identifies the maxillary        right central tooth; alternatively/optionally, such tooth        locations may be identified by Palmer Location, e.g., the        symbols identify the maxillary left cuspid,    -   (ii) its manufacturer,    -   (iii) its date of manufacturer,    -   (iv) its model number,    -   (v) its location of manufacture,    -   (vi) instructions or suggestions regarding use of the        orthodontic appliance,    -   (vii) a patent number for the orthodontic appliance,    -   (viii) a logo, a trademark for the orthodontic appliance,    -   (ix) a pattern that may be optically scanned for obtaining        information on the orthodontic appliance (e.g., any of the        informational items (i) through (viii) hereinabove), etc.        An example, of such a set of information is illustrated in FIG.        21, wherein the base 16 of the orthodontic appliance shown in        this figure includes a series of projected characters 94        providing the following information encodings (from left to        right and top to bottom):    -   the characters “RMO” identify the supplier of the orthodontic        appliance as RMO, Inc.,    -   the “X” is a separation character,    -   the characters “TS54” identify model of an orthodontic tube,    -   the characters “072407” identify the date of manufacture,    -   the characters “CUS” identify the location of manufacture as        Colorado in the U.S.,    -   the characters “B46” identify the batch of material(s) from        which the orthodontic appliance was created, and    -   the “X” is a separation character, and    -   the characters “IV6” identifies the version of the documentation        that is to be supplied to an orthodontist with the appliance.        As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the provision of        such information on the base of an orthodontic appliance        performs a useful function with respect to the use of the        device, and tracing the source and time of manufacturer in the        event of a defective appliance, and/or a recall may be        necessary.

Note that the separation character (e.g., “X” hereinabove) may beoptionally used or not used depending the amount of information to beembedded in the base 16. If, e.g., only the first row of information inFIG. 21 were to be embedded in a base 16 of an orthodontic appliance,then the separation character may be used to fill up any additionalspace remaining on the base 16. That is, an important aspect of suchembedding of information is to not only provide information on theappliance, but also substantially increase the base area (such areaincluding the areas of the walls 98 (e.g., FIG. 15A describedhereinbelow) separating the projected portions of the base 16 from therecessed portions of the base) to which an adhesive can adhere.Accordingly, it can be important that such characters be chosen so thatthe base area increases, e.g., at least 30% and preferably 40% or moreover a substantially two dimensional, e.g., flat or convex, base 16.Thus, a character such as “X” provides more wall 98 surface area foradhesive adherence than, e.g., the hyphen symbol “-”, and accordingly“X” is generally preferable.

It is also important to bear in mind that there is a limitation on thedepth of the most recessed base surface 92 relative to the moreprojected surface 90 (correspondingly, the extent of the walls 98spanning between base surface levels), is limited in that as this depthincreases, if the thickness of the body 8 of the orthodontic applianceextending away from its attached tooth does not correspondinglyincrease, then the orthodontic appliance can weaken. Accordingly, for atleast most of the walls 98, the extent of the wall is between about0.009 to 0.011 inches in depth, and more preferably, such walls spanbetween the projected surface 92 and the recessed surface in a range of0.010±0.0005 inches, this last range being particularly advantageous.However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that there maybe more than one level of recessed surface. In particular, the levels ofrecessed surfaces may roughly follow a curve for providing a uniformthickness of the body 8, and/or for providing at least a minimalorthodontic body thickness between each recessed surface and itscorresponding appliance exterior surface facing away from the tooth towhich the appliance is attached. Alternatively/optionally, the levels ofrecessed surfaces may roughly follow a curve of the base itself as shownin FIG. 28. Moreover, it is also within the scope of the definition ofwalls 98 that such walls may not be orthogonal to one or more of thesurfaces 90 and 92. In particular, walls 98 may be at an incline of 45degrees or greater relative to one or more of the surfaces 90 and 92.

Regardless of the nature of the characters 94 actually used, in apreferred embodiment, the base 16 does not have a grid between thecharacters 94. That is, in contrast to the bracket base shown in FIG. 13of U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,484, the base 16 of the present disclosure doesnot have a grid or lattice within which the characters reside. Rather,the present disclosure describes providing characters 94 and arelatively irregular, non-grid like intermediate space 96 to cover theentire interior region 88. The characters 94 and intermediate space 96thus function directly as the texturing that works in combination withthe adhesive to more effectively bond the bracket to the tooth.

In a separate aspect of the present disclosure, the characters 94 may beangled at any orientation relative to the edges 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86d. More specifically, the characters may be oriented parallel with edges86 a and 86 c, or perpendicular to edges 86 a and 86 c. Likewise, thecharacters may be oriented parallel with edges 86 b and 86 d, orperpendicular to edges 86 b and 86 d. Alternately, the characters 94 maybe oriented at an angle relative to edges 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 d. Asan example without limitation, FIG. 8 illustrates that the characters 94are oriented at an angle θ of about 15 degrees relative to edges 86 aand 86 c, and at an angle of about 75 degrees relative to edges 86 b and86 d.

Character length “L” and width “W” may vary considerably. Referringagain to FIG. 8, in a preferred embodiment, in plan view, the length Lof each characters 94 is about 0.034 to 0.040 inches, and morepreferably, about 0.036 inches. The width W of each character 94 varieswith the length and with the specific character type. For example, inthe character string “RMO”® shown in FIG. 8, an “M” is typically widerthan an “R” or an “O”.

For each character 94, the line width “lw” preferably ranges betweenabout 0.008 to 0.010 inches, where line width lw is the width of theline forming each individual character 94. Typically, line width lw willvary with character length L. Therefore, shorter characters 94 willtypically have thinner line widths lw. Obviously, logos, and othersymbols as well as certain graphics will have lengths L, widths W, andline widths lw as required to form each individual type of shape.

For each orthodontic appliance of the present disclosure, the total basesurface area of the appliance is defined herein as the area between theedges of the appliance base 16 (e.g., edges 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 dof FIG. 8) for the base surfaces that are substantially parallel ornon-parallel to the tooth's surface when the orthodontic appliance isapplied to the tooth, wherein the non-parallel surfaces are the walls98, and 99, FIG. 21 as described hereinbelow. The total two dimensionalsurface area is defined herein as total surface area of the base that issubstantially parallel to the tooth when the orthodontic appliance isapplied to the tooth. Accordingly, the total two dimensional basesurface is substantially the sum of the recessed surface 92 area, andthe projected surface 92 area. Thus, if the base 16 is rectangular andtwo dimensional, the total two dimensional base surface area is just thelength of the base 16 multiplied by the width of the base 16. However,since the base 16 is generally curved to approximate the curvature of atooth to which it is to be attached, the total two dimensional basesurface area is greater than the length of the base 16 multiplied by thewidth of the base 16. Whether the characters 94 are letters, numbers,logos, symbols, or graphics, preferably the recessed surface 92comprises between about 50% to 60% of the total two dimensional basesurface area of the base 16, and more preferably, about 55% of the totaltwo dimensional base surface area of base 16. Correspondingly,preferably the projected surface 90 comprises between about 40% to 50%of the total two dimensional base surface area of the base 16, and morepreferably, about 45% of the total two dimensional base surface area ofthe base 16.

Projected surface 90 (e.g., FIG. 9A) and recessed surface 92 arecomprised of characters 94 and intermediate space 96, which is situatedbetween and around characters 94. Characters 94 may occupy the projectedsurface 90 of the base 16, but preferably occupy the recessed surface 92of the base 16. Alternatively, intermediate space 96 may occupy therecessed surface 92 of base 16, but preferably occupy the projectedsurface 90 of base 16. However, in a preferred embodiment, uponattachment of the bracket 10 to the surface of a patient's tooth,intermediate space 96 is the projected surface 90 that is closer to thetooth surface than the characters 94 that are situated along therecessed surface 92. Separation between the characters 94 andintermediate space 96 is formed by bracket character walls 98 that aregenerally perpendicular or steeply sloped surfaces disposed between thecharacters 94 and the intermediate space 96. As shown in FIG. 9A, theprojected surface 90 contacts the tooth surface upon attachment of thebracket 10 in the direction of arrows A2 to the patient's tooth T. Thus,as shown in FIG. 9A, when the intermediate space 96 occupies theprojected surface 90, the intermediate surface 96 is closest to thetooth surface, and the location of characters 94 is recessed relative tothe location of intermediate space 96. In contrast, FIG. 9B presents thesame cross-sectional view of base 16 as that shown in FIG. 9A, but withthe characters 94 and intermediate space 96 inverted. That is, in thismodified arrangement, the location of intermediate space 96 is recessedrelative to the location of the characters 94. Therefore, the characters94 contact the tooth surface upon attachment of the bracket 10 in thedirection of arrows A2 to the patient's tooth T.

Referring now to FIGS. 4B and 10, a bracket 10 with a continuous anduninterrupted base 16 and flanges 32 is shown. When flanges 32 areincorporated into the base 16 having characters 94, the characters 94are preferably extended across the entire rear surface of the bracket10. Preferably, the characters 94 form the recessed surface 92 as shownin FIG. 9A, and the intermediate space 96 forms the projected surface90. Whether the characters 94 are letters, numbers, logos, symbols, orgraphics, preferably the recessed surface 92 comprises between about 50%to 60% of the total two dimensional surface area of the base 16 and theflanges 32, and more preferably, about 55% of the total two dimensionalsurface area of base 16 and the flanges 32. Correspondingly, preferablythe projected surface 90 comprises between about 40% to 50% of the totaltwo dimensional surface area of the base 16 and the flanges 32, and morepreferably, about 45% of the total two dimensional surface area of thebase 16 and the flanges 32. These preferred values have been found toprovide better adhesion characteristics between the bracket and thetooth to which it is applied.

Referring again to FIGS. 1B and 5B, a bracket 10 having a base 16 with asingle auxiliary slot 70 is shown. However, such an auxiliary slot 70need not be centrally located along the mesial-distal extent of thebracket. Instead, the auxiliary slot 70 more to the mesial side of thebracket, or more to the distal side of the bracket. Indeed, FIG. 20shows such an offset auxiliary slot 70 provided in the base 16 of anorthodontic appliance. A rear plan view of the base of FIGS. 1B and 5Bis shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B (although these latter figures may equallywell apply to the base 16 of other types of orthodontic appliances,e.g., those having tubes), wherein the rear of the bracket 10incorporates characters 94. For the bracket (or other orthodonticappliance) shown in FIG. 11A, when flanges 32 are incorporated into thebase 16 having characters 94, the characters 94 are preferably extendedacross the entire rear surface of the bracket 10, with the exception ofthe area occupied by the auxiliary slot 70. Consistent with the otherembodiments described above, preferably the characters 94 form therecessed surface 92 as shown in FIG. 9A, and the intermediate space 96forms the projected surface 90. Whether the characters 94 are letters,numbers, logos, symbols, or graphics, preferably the recessed surface 92comprises between about 50% to 60% of the total two dimensional surfacearea of the base 16 (not including the area occupied by the auxiliaryslot 70) and the flanges 32, and more preferably, about 55% of the totaltwo dimensional surface area of base 16 (not including the area occupiedby the auxiliary slot 70) and the flanges 32. Correspondingly,preferably the projected surface 90 comprises between about 40% to 50%of the total two dimensional surface area of the base 16 (not includingthe area occupied by the auxiliary slot 70) and the flanges 32, and morepreferably, about 45% of the total two dimensional surface area of thebase 16 (not including the area occupied by the auxiliary slot 70 andthe flanges 32. These preferred values have been found to provide betteradhesion characteristics between the bracket and the tooth to which itis applied. Accordingly, a determination may be as to whether thecharacters 94 are provided on the recessed surface 92, or on theprojected surface 90 depending on which of these alternatives mostclosely yields the above preferred surface percentages for the recessedand projected surfaces.

Referring now to FIG. 11B, the orthodontic appliance base 16 includes acharacter pattern 94 within the area of the auxiliary slot 70. Whencharacters 94 are integrated into the auxiliary slot 70, the characters94 may have different dimensions than that of the remaining base 16.Preferably, the character pattern 94 may be finer, thus limiting theprobability of a tool to be inserted therein from hanging-up or catchingon the characters 94. Alternatively, the character pattern 94 in theauxiliary slot 70 may have a rounded (not shown) or alternativelytextured exterior surface that advantageously interacts with the tool tobe inserted therein.

Referring again to FIG. 3B, a bracket 10 having a base 16 with twinauxiliary slots 80 is shown. A plan view of the rear of FIGS. 3B isshown in FIGS. 12A and 12B (although these latter figures may equallywell apply to the base 16 of other types of orthodontic appliances,e.g., those having tubes), wherein the rear of the bracket 10incorporates characters 94. For the base 16 shown in FIG. 12A, whenflanges 32 are incorporated into the base 16 having characters 94, thecharacters 94 are preferably extended across the entire rear surface ofthe orthodontic appliance, with the exception of the area occupied bythe twin auxiliary slots 80. Consistent with the other embodimentsdescribed above, preferably the characters 94 form the recessed surface92 as shown in FIG. 9A, and the intermediate space 96 forms theprojected surface 90. Whether the characters 94 are letters, numbers,logos, symbols, or graphics, preferably the recessed surface 92comprises between about 50% to 60% of the total two dimensional surfacearea of the base 16 (not including the area occupied by the twinauxiliary slots 80) and the flanges 32, and more preferably, about 50%of the total two dimensional surface area of base 16 (not including thearea occupied by the twin auxiliary slots 80) and the flanges 32.Correspondingly, preferably the projected surface 90 comprises betweenabout 40% to 50% of the total two dimensional surface area of the base16 (not including the area occupied by the twin auxiliary slots 80) andthe flanges 32, and more preferably, about 45% of the total twodimensional surface area of the base 16 (not including the area occupiedby the twin auxiliary slots 80) and the flanges 32. These preferredvalues have been found to provide better adhesion characteristicsbetween the bracket (more generally, orthodontic appliance) and thetooth to which the appliance is applied.

Referring now to FIG. 12B, the base 16 shown includes a characterpattern 94 within the area of the auxiliary slots 80. As with the singleauxiliary slot 70 shown in FIG. 11B, when characters 94 are integratedinto the auxiliary slots 80, the characters 94 may have differentdimensions than that of the remaining base 16. Preferably, the characterpattern 94 may be finer, thus limiting the probability of a tool to beinserted therein from hanging-up or catching on the characters 94.Alternatively, the character pattern 94 in the auxiliary slots 80 mayhave a rounded (not shown), or alternatively textured exterior, surfacethat advantageously interacts with the tool to be inserted therein. Notethat such an auxiliary slots 80 need not be symmetrically located alongthe mesial-distal extent of the bracket. Instead, the auxiliary slots 80more to the mesial side of the bracket, or more to the distal side ofthe bracket. The auxiliary slots 80 may be provided in locations alongthe base 16 according to the auxiliary tool to be fitted therein. Thus,one such auxiliary slot 80 may be near the mesial edge of the base 16,whereas the other auxiliary slot may near the center of mesial-distalextent of the base.

Referring again to FIG. 4B, in yet a separate aspect of the disclosure,the bracket 10 (more generally, an orthodontic appliance) may include acurved base 16. The base 16 may be contoured at a variety of anglesdepending upon the curvature of the patient's tooth surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15A,B in yet a separate aspect of thedisclosure, base 16 of an orthodontic appliance (e.g., bracket 10 oranother appliance) preferably includes a perimeter rail, and morepreferably, a discontinuous perimeter rail. The discontinuous perimeterrail preferably includes at least one corner segment, and morepreferably, a plurality of corner segments, including a distal/gingivalcorner 100 a, a gingival/mesial corner 100 b, a mesial/occlusal corner100 c, and an occlusal/distal corner 100 d. Corners 100 a, 100 b, 100 c,and 100 d are preferably between about 0.008 to 0.011 inches in width“cw”, and more preferably, are about 0.085 inches wide. Each corner 100a, 100 b, 100 c, and 100 d is separated from the other corners segmentsby a distance or a cavity. Preferably, the discontinuous perimeter railalso includes at least one straight segment, and more preferably, aplurality of straight segments. More preferably yet, two straightsegments are provided, namely a gingival straight segment 102 a and anocclusal straight segment 102 c. The gingival straight segment 102 a isseparated from the distal/gingival corner 100 a and the gingival/mesialcorner 100 b by a cavity or a distance “d₁” of about 0.008 to 0.011inches, and more preferably, by a distance d₁ approximately equal to thewidth cw (FIG. 14) of the discontinuous perimeter rail, or about 0.0085inches. Similarly, the occlusal straight segment 102 c is separated fromthe mesial/occlusal corner 100 c and the occlusal/distal corner 100 d bya cavity or distance d₁ of about 0.008 to 0.011 inches, and morepreferably, by a distance d₁ approximately equal to the width cw of thediscontinuous perimeter rail, or about 0.0085 inches. Although base 16of an orthodontic appliance will function without a perimeter rail, thediscontinuous perimeter rail in combination with characters 94 increasesthe bonding strength of orthodontic appliance when it is attached to atooth using an adhesive.

Referring again to FIG. 14, although it may be present, in a preferredembodiment, the discontinuous perimeter rail does not include a distalstraight segment between the distal/gingival corner 100 a and theocclusal/distal corner 100 d. In addition, in a preferred embodiment,the discontinuous perimeter rail does not include a mesial straightsegment between the gingival/mesial corner 100 b and the mesial/occlusalcorner 100 c.

Still referring to FIG. 14, in a preferred embodiment, the perimeterrail is preferably positioned within the base 16 area defined by edges86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 d. More specifically, corners 100 a, 100 b, 100c, and 100 d, as well as straight segments 102 a and 102 c of thediscontinuous perimeter rail are all disposed within the interior of thearea defined by base edges 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 d. The total twodimensional surface area in rear elevation view, or the exterior surfaceof the base 16 is defined herein as the area in rear elevation viewbetween edges 86 a, 86 b, 86 c, and 86 d for the base surfaces parallelto the tooth's surface. Where a discontinuous perimeter rail is used,the discontinuous perimeter rail portions 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d,102 a and 102 c comprise between about 12% to 16% of the total twodimensional surface area of the base 16, and more preferably, about 14%of the total two dimensional surface area of base 16. Whether thecharacters 94 are letters, numbers, logos, symbols, or graphics, when adiscontinuous perimeter rail is present, preferably the recessed surface92 comprises between about 45% to 50% of the total two dimensionalsurface area of the base 16, and more preferably, about 48% of the totaltwo dimensional surface area of base 16. Correspondingly, when adiscontinuous perimeter rail is present, preferably the projectedsurface 90 comprises between about 35% to 40% of the total twodimensional surface area of the base 16, and more preferably, about 38%of the total two dimensional surface area of the base 16.

Referring now to FIG. 15A, a cross-sectional view along line 15-15 asshown in FIG. 14 is provided. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A showsthe gingival straight segment 102 a and the occlusal straight segment102 c along the gingival and occlusal edges of the orthodontic appliancewhose base 16 is shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 15A also shows that the railsurface 104 is disposed beyond the projected surface 90. In thepreferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 15A, the projected surface 90 iscomprised of the intermediate space 96 between characters 94, while therecessed surface 92 is comprised of the characters 94. The rail surface104 preferably projects a distance “s” of about 0.002 to 0.004 inchesbeyond the projected surface 90, and more preferably, the rail surface104 projects about 0.003 inches beyond the projected surface 90. Thus,when the orthodontic appliance of FIG. 14 having a discontinuous rail isplaced with its base 16 in contact with a patient's tooth, the railsurface 104 contacts the patient's tooth. The discontinuous rail thusforms a pocket for the collection of adhesive. Thus, upon application ofthe orthodontic appliance of FIG. 14 to a patient's tooth, the openingsbetween the perimeter rail permit excess adhesive to escape under theapplied pressure, thereby preventing the appliance from having anadhesive layer that is too thick and moving away from the tooth as aresult of increased hydraulic pressure formed within the adhesive pocketwhen the appliance is first pressed against the tooth to which it isbeing applied. Thus, the discontinuous structure of the perimeter railimproves the bonding strength between the orthodontic appliance and thepatient's tooth because it allows excess adhesive to escape during theapplication of the appliance to the tooth's surface. Furthermore, asshown in FIG. 15B, the difference in distance provided by the projectionof the perimeter rail beyond the projected surface 90 allows a layer ofadhesive 106 to bond between the projected surface 90 and the tooth'ssurface. Thus, a layer of adhesive is formed within the entire interiorarea 88 of the base that is not otherwise occupied by the discontinuousperimeter rail segments 100 a-d, and 102 a and 102 c. This furtherimproves bonding between the orthodontic appliance and the tooth'ssurface.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15A, as one of skill in the art willunderstand, the walls 98 (FIG. 15A) together with the rail walls 99provide substantially more base surface area to which an adhesive canbond. In fact, the embodiment of FIG. 14 results in approximately a basetotal surface area increase of more than 140%. This can be seen asfollows. Since all walls 98 and 99 are at least the height of walls 98,assume for the moment that the height of all walls is the same as walls98. An approximation to the increase in base total surface area by thewalls can be obtained by comparing:

-   -   (a) the sum of the line segments of the extent of the walls 98        and 99 (FIG. 15A), plus, the line segments residing on the        projected surface 90 and on the recessed surface 92 of both        cross section in FIG. 15A with    -   (b) the straight line extent of the base 16 along cross section        15-15 of FIG. 14. Accordingly, since the wall height is        approximately 0.12 of the straight line extent across the base        16 of FIG. 14 at cross section identified by the sectioning        plane 15-15, and since there are 12 walls in the cross section        shown in FIG. 15A, an approximation to the ratio of: (1) the        base surface area immediately surrounding the cross section        15-15 to (2) a non-embedded (e.g., two dimensional) base surface        area surrounding the cross section 15-15 to the same extent is        approximately (0.12×12) to 1.0 which is 1.44:1.0. Moreover, this        ratio holds up over a fine sampling of cross sections of        FIG. 14. In particular, for a substantially regularly spaced        sampling of 25 cross sections parallel to the cross section of        15-15 of FIG. 14, this same ratio of 1.44:1.0 is obtained.        Accordingly, since there may be relatively little curvature in        the gingival-occlusal direction of the orthodontic appliance, it        is believed that FIG. 14 shows a base 16 with an increase of        total surface area of approximately 44% over a corresponding        base surface area that does not have characters formed therein;        i.e., 144% of the corresponding base surface area that does not        have characters formed therein, or equivalently, at least 29% of        the total surface area of the base 16 is derived from the        surface area of the walls 98 and 99. Moreover, it is believed        this approximate increase is somewhat conservative since the        extra height of the perimeter rail walls over the projected        areas of the base are not included in the above approximation.        Furthermore, the increase in total surface area of the base 16        may be made greater by decreasing the width of the font used,        and increasing the number of characters (e.g., by providing a        greater number of occurrences of the separation character.

Referring now to FIG. 16, for those orthodontic appliances that includeflanges 32 adjacent the base 16, the perimeter rail is preferablylocated along the outermost edges of the flanges 32. Thus, thediscontinuous perimeter rail portions 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, and 100 dwill occupy the corners formed at the outer limits of the flanges 32. Inaddition, the gingival straight segment 102 a and the occlusal straightsegment 102 c will occupy portions of the gingival edge 86 a and theocclusal edge 86 c, respectively. The gingival straight segment 102 aand the occlusal straight segment 102 c can occupy area along both thebase 16 and the flanges 32, depending upon the chosen perimeter railconfiguration. In addition, for those orthodontic appliances thatinclude a single auxiliary slot 70 or twin auxiliary slots 80, theperimeter rail is preferably not present along the alignment of theauxiliary slot 70 or slots 80.

In yet a separate aspect of the disclosure, a method of making anorthodontic appliance (e.g., the bracket 10) and its base 16 isdisclosed wherein the method is specifically suited for providing a base16, and optionally flanges 32, having a pattern of characters 94 formedor embedded within the base. In a preferred embodiment, a one-piecemolded metal injected orthodontic appliance (e.g., bracket 10) ismanufactured from a mold 108. As known to those skilled in the art, themold 108 (FIG. 17) is produced by electrical discharge machining usingshaped electrodes to form the mold 108 itself. More specifically, theshaped electrodes are formed to correspond to the desired shape of atleast a portion of one of the exterior surfaces of the orthodonticappliance, such as the exterior surface that forms base 16. The shapedelectrodes are then charged and placed in contact with a metal body thatwill form a portion of mold 108 for production of the actual orthodonticappliances. More specifically, the charged electrode “burns” the desiredorthodontic appliance shape into the metal body, thus forming a portionof mold 108. The mold 108 is typically formed from a top and a bottomportion that is then assembled to form a hollow space that defines thecontours of the orthodontic appliances to be formed in the mold. Themold 108 is then used to manufacture the orthodontic appliances byinjecting the mold 108 with the suitable orthodontic material, such asmolten stainless steel, via an injection channel that passes throughmold 108 to the interior hollow region defining the appliance form. Themolten stainless steel is allowed to cool and harden, and then the mold108 is separated and the molded orthodontic appliance is subsequentlyejected from the mold 108.

In order to adequately bond an orthodontic appliance (having a pluralityof characters 94 formed in its base 16) to a tooth surface using anadhesive, the surfaces of the base 16 that are parallel to the tooth'ssurface are preferably relatively rough. However, if the surfaces ofmold 108 corresponding to the base 16 of the orthodontic appliance aretoo rough, the appliance cannot be ejected from the mold 108 during theappliance's manufacturing process. Thus, in this separate aspect of thedisclosure, the mold 108 is preferably manufactured and processed tohave appropriate surficial roughness textures along its correspondingbase surfaces so that the molded appliances easily release from the mold108.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a mold 108 is shown having a base thatincludes mold recessed surface 110 and mold projected surface 112, whichrespectively correspond to the projected surface 90 and the recessedsurface 92 of an orthodontic appliance to be manufactured. Preferably,mold recessed surface 110 and mold projected surface 112 have a surfacefinish of approximately a maximum of 110.8 micro-inches. In contrast,preferably the mold character walls 114 of mold 108 that form thegenerally sloped or perpendicular surfaces between characters 94 andintermediate spaces 96 of bracket 10 are polished. More specifically,the mold character walls 114 of mold 108 are preferably hand polished toa relatively smooth and polished finish, preferably using a ruby stone,although other means may be employed. Upon manufacture of an orthodonticappliance from mold 108, the hand polished character walls 114 of themold 108 allow the appliance to be ejected from the mold 108 because thecharacter walls 98 of the appliance are formed to have a smooth andpolished finish that corresponds to the polished mold character walls114 from which they were formed. Thus, a newly formed orthodonticappliance (e.g., the bracket 10) may be ejected from its mold 108without sticking to the mold 108 and thereby preventing ejection fromoccurring, or bending or otherwise causing detrimental structural damageto the newly formed appliance during the ejection process. An ejectorpin (not shown) may be used to aid the ejection process, wherein theejection pin forcibly separates the newly formed orthodontic appliancefrom the mold 108 by pushing base 16 away from mold 108.

Where a perimeter rail is used, the mold 108 preferably includes adeeper recessed surface 116 corresponding to the perimeter rail surface104. The deeper recessed surface 116 is surficially textured to providetexturing to the perimeter rail surface, which in turn improves bondingbetween the molded orthodontic appliance and the surface of the tooth.More particularly, the deeper recessed surface 116 of the mold 108preferably has a surface finish of approximately a maximum of 110.8micro-inches. In contrast, preferably the mold perimeter rail walls 118of mold 108 are polished to a smooth finish to prevent a moldedorthodontic appliance from sticking to the mold 108 during the ejectionprocess, thereby preventing ejection or otherwise causing detrimentalstructural damage to the newly formed appliance during the ejectionprocess.

Referring now to FIG. 18, an alternate aspect of the disclosure isshown. FIG. 18 presents a pattern of characters 94, wherein thecharacters are a three-pronged shape resembling the letter “Y”. As inthe previously described embodiments, intermediate space 96 surroundsthe characters 94 within the interior region 88 of the base 16.Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates the use of patterns ofcharacters 94 wherein the character is a seemingly arbitrary shape, andone in which the base 16 possesses a projected surface 90 and a recessedsurface 92. Brackets 10 that included patterns of characters 94 ofshapes may further include discontinuous perimeter rail structures asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIG. 19, in a separate aspect of the disclosure, apattern of characters 94 can be integrated into a side or labialposition on an orthodontic appliance (e.g., the bracket 10 in FIG. 19).For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the flanges 32 can include a patternof characters 94 such that the characters 94 are visible from a frontview of the bracket 10 (more generally, orthodontic appliance). Thepattern 94 could be a trademark of a manufacturer, a message, and/or thepattern 94 may be an ornamental or fanciful design.

In summary, the present disclosure is at least in part directed to adevice and method for providing a pattern of characters on the base 16of an orthodontic bracket. Such characters are preferably formed bycreating a recessed pattern of the characters in the base, with the areabetween the characters raised, such that the area between the charactersis closer to the tooth surface when the orthodontic appliance is appliedto the surface of a patient's tooth using an adhesive. Alternatively,the characters may be raised and projecting relative to the area betweenthe characters, such that the characters are closer to the tooth surfacewhen the orthodontic appliance is attached to the surface of a patient'stooth.

In a separate aspect of the disclosure, a discontinuous perimeter railmay be used around the character pattern of the base 16. Preferably, thediscontinuous perimeter rail includes four separate corner sections andtwo additional separate straight sections along the gingival andocclusal edges of the base 16. When used, the discontinuous perimeterrail projects beyond the patterned surface of the base, such that thediscontinuous perimeter rail is closest to the tooth surface when theorthodontic appliance is attached to a patient's tooth. Thediscontinuous perimeter rail increases the bonding strength of theorthodontic appliance to the tooth's surface.

The pattern of characters and intermediate space formed on the base 16of an orthodontic appliance provides a texturing pattern (e.g., anordered array of projecting features) for bonding the orthodonticappliance to a patient's tooth using an adhesive, while at the same timeproviding a means of presenting information about the orthodonticappliance on its base surface by advantageously utilizing charactersthat represent pertinent information, such as the name of the appliancemanufacturer, the intended location for the appliance placement, and/ora graphics symbol or logo.

In addition to providing information content on the orthodonticappliance base 16, the embedding of such information substantiallyincreases the base total surface area to which the adhesive can adhere,thus resulting in a more effective bond between a patient's tooth andthe orthodontic appliance. However, in some embodiments depending (e.g.,on the viscosity of the adhesive), for the adhesive to effectively enterthe recesses of the recessed surface 92, such recesses should have atleast a minimal extent in two orthogonal directions. As described above,when the recessed portions are characters 94, a line width “lw” for suchcharacters preferably ranges between about 0.008 to 0.010 inches, whereline width lw (FIG. 16) is the width of the line forming each individualcharacter 94. This constraint can be extended, wherein if a circle ofdiameter in the range of at least 0.008 inches were to be provided inall recessed portions and moved about therein the maximal extentpossible, then the recessed area covered by the circle should be aboutat least 85% of the total recessed surface area. That is, only about 15%or less of the recessed surface area should be so confined by one ormore walls 98 that this area could not be covered by the circle movingover the maximal extent of the recessed area possible. Note, this moregeneral constraint is clearly shown at least in FIG. 16.

FIGS. 22 through 27 show various orthodontic appliances with bases 16having encoded information embedded or formed in the bases, wherein thecharacters 94 are on the projected surface(s) 90 (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B), and the intermediary space 96 between the charactersis provided on the recessed surface(s) 92 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B). Note that the orthodontic appliances shown in these figuresinclude both archwire slots, tubes, and hybrid combinations thereof. Thetubes are identified by the label 204.

FIGS. 28 through 41 show various orthodontic appliances with bases 16having encoded information embedded or formed therein, wherein thecharacters 94 are on the recessed surface(s) 90 (e.g., as shown in FIGS.9A and 9B), and the intermediary space 96 between the characters isprovided on the projected surface(s) 92 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9A and9B). Note that for a given figure number, whenever there are figures Aand B for the figure number, such figures A and B are different views ofthe same orthodontic appliance; e.g., FIGS. 40A and 40B are differentviews of the same orthodontic appliance. As with the FIGS. 22 through27, that the orthodontic appliances shown in FIGS. 28 through 59 includeboth archwire slots, tubes, and hybrid combinations thereof, wherein thetubes are identified by the label 204. Moreover, it is worth mentioningthat FIGS. 40A and 40B show an orthodontic appliance (a bracket),wherein the discontinuous perimeter rails of the base 16 further includerails 102 b and 102 d, respectively on the mesial and distal sides ofthe orthodontic appliance shown. Although, in general, such anembodiment may not be preferred, such a configuration for the perimeterrails is within the scope of the present disclosure.

The disclosure herein has been describes preferred embodiments of theinvention claimed hereinbelow; however, other changes and modificationsto the claimed invention may be made which are still contemplated withinthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The foregoing disclosure has been provided for purposes of illustrationand description. This disclosure is not intended to limit the inventionclaimed hereinbelow, and various embodiments thereof. Variations,embodiments and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in theart and are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An orthodontic bracket, comprising: a body havinga front and a back, the back for facing a tooth when the bracket isoperably attached thereto, and the front having an archwire slottherein, the archwire slot having a length with at least a bottom,opposing sides, and an opening for providing an archwire therein,wherein the opening extends the length; a rotatable member for rotatingrelative to the body from an open position wherein the opening providesarchwire access to operably position the archwire within the archwireslot, to at least one closed position wherein for each of the at leastone closed position, at least a portion of the rotatable member inhibitsthe archwire from moving through the opening; wherein a first portion ofthe rotatable member is secured within a recess of the body, and rotatestherein when the rotatable member rotates between the open position andthe at least one closed position; wherein the first portion of therotatable member comprises two slot coverable extensions that aresubstantially straight and bar shaped, and that extend parallel to eachother, and wherein the archwire is restrained by the two slot coverableextensions when the first portion is rotated to the at least one closedposition.
 2. The orthodontic bracket as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe at least one closed position comprises an active closed position anda passive closed position, said active closed position forcing saidarchwire into contact with a floor of the archwire slot with sufficientforce to inhibit movement of the archwire in a direction along a lengthof the archwire slot
 3. The orthodontic bracket as set forth in claim 1,wherein upon rotation of the rotatable member, the first portioncontacts predetermined discrete notches within the recess forpositioning the rotatable member at corresponding predetermined angularorientations about an axis of rotation through the body.
 4. Theorthodontic bracket as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a stopwall that prevents the rotatable member from rotating.
 5. Theorthodontic bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotatablemember is secured in said recess by at least one tab.
 6. The orthodonticbracket as set forth in claim 5, wherein said at least one tab is biasedby a spring.
 7. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the slotcoverable extensions are fluted.
 8. An orthodontic bracket, comprising:a body having a front and a back, the back for facing a tooth when thebracket is operably attached thereto, and the front having an archwireslot therein, the archwire slot having a length with at least a bottom,opposing sides, and an opening for providing an archwire therein,wherein the opening extends the length; a rotatable member for rotatingrelative to the body from an open position wherein the opening providesarchwire access to operably position the archwire within the archwireslot, to at least one closed position wherein for each of the at leastone closed position, at least a portion of the rotatable member inhibitsthe archwire from moving through the opening; wherein a first portion ofthe rotatable member is secured within a recess of the body, and rotatestherein when the rotatable member rotates between the open position andthe at least one closed position; wherein the rotatable member comprisestwo opposing slot coverable extensions each having a first linear sideand a second irregularly shaped side, the first linear side of each ofthe two slot coverable extensions being substantially straight andextending parallel to each other, and wherein, the archwire isrestrained by the two slot coverable extensions when in the at least oneclosed position.
 9. The orthodontic bracket of claim 8, wherein the slotcoverable extensions have an underside, convexly curved portion thatfaces the slot, said slot coverable extensions having a thicker portionat a first end of said slot coverable extensions and a thinner portionat an outer most end of the slot coverable extensions, wherein when therotatable member is rotated into the active closed position, theirregular shape of the slot coverable extensions increase the extent ofthe slot being covered by the slot coverable extensions.
 10. Theorthodontic bracket of claim 8, wherein the slot coverable extensionsare fluted.
 11. The orthodontic bracket of claim 8, whereinapproximately twice the amount of the slot is covered by the extensionsin the active closed position than in the passive closed position. 12.The orthodontic bracket of claim 8, wherein a slot opening coverage isin a range from 20% to 100% more slot coverage in the active closedposition than in the passive closed position.
 13. The orthodonticbracket of claim 8, wherein a slot opening coverage is at least 40% moreslot coverage in the active closed position than in the passive closedposition.
 14. The orthodontic bracket of claim 8, further comprisinglocking tabs that secure the rotatable member in the open position. 15.The orthodontic bracket of claim 8, wherein the rotatable member furtherincludes a variable archwire stabilizer on an underside of the slotcoverable extensions.
 16. The orthodontic bracket of claim 8, whereinthe rotatable member includes a flexible ring that assists inmaintaining proper orientation of the rotatable member when therotatable member is rotated.
 17. The orthodontic bracket of claim 8,wherein the at least one closed position comprises an active closedposition and a passive closed position, said active closed positionforcing said archwire into contact with a floor of the archwire slotwith sufficient force to inhibit movement of the archwire in a directionalong a length of the archwire slot.
 18. The orthodontic bracket ofclaim 8, wherein upon rotation of the rotatable member, the firstportion contacts predetermined discrete notches within the recess forpositioning the rotatable member at corresponding predetermined angularorientations about an axis of rotation through the body.
 19. Theorthodontic bracket as set forth in claim 8, wherein said rotatablemember is secured in said recess by at least one tab.
 20. Theorthodontic bracket as set forth in claim 8, wherein said secondirregularly shaped side of each of the two slot coverable extensionsprovides for an orthodontic receiving attachment area for grasping therotatable member.